Just Blown In From The Windy City

No not Chicagi as calam called it just Castle Lake where not only was the wind still very blustery but it also pushed a few squally and occaisionally heaver showers through as well.

Highlights from today;

Possible Yellow-legged Gull, present only until 09:20 and possibly the same individual seen briefly on the 7th.

This bird exhibited a much darker mantle than that of Herring Gull but not as dark as Lesser Black-backed Gull (both of which were nearby offering a good comparison), yellow legs seen when it took off, small amount of streaking around the eye only and a large red spot on the lower mandible.
After posting this picture on Birdforum there has been some doubt cast over its credentials as Yellow-legged Gull particularly concerning the amount of white in the wing tips. So what is it? Scandinavian Herring Gull is another possibility.

A 'bog standard' Herring Gull seen today.

Canada Geese an increase to 109 today
Grey Partridge 3 adults escorting 8 juveniles below the hide

Little Ringed Plover still a juvenile refusing to migrate
Ringed Plover 3 present though not together

Been trying for ages to get a decent comparison shot of juvenile Ringed Plover next to juvenile Little Ringed Plover and this is probably the best I'm going to manage.

Ruff 4 (one pictured below)

Dunlin 4
Snipe 2
Curlew 7
Green Sandpiper 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 adults and at least 1 juvenile
Wheatear 1 on the southern wall (picture below)

Linnet flock of about 80

Also noted today was a small passage of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and House Martin.

Stoneybeck Lake was quiet with only 1 Ruff of note.