A free day and a nice forecast is the perfect combination for a birding trip and the chosen destinations were Fairburn Ings and Swillington Ings near Leeds.  At Fairburn the main attraction was a Drake Smew along with 3 red heads.  A Firecrest was also soon.  At Swilligton the main attraction was a plethora of less common gulls ie Glaucous, Iceland, Caspian and Yellow Legged as well, a White Fronted Goose and a late winter's afternoon sunshine basking the reserve.

First stop was Fairburn where I arrived about 8.30 and headed for the Lyn Dyke hide just off the main reserve.  The water level was higher than it should have been so the number of Waders was lower than expected.  Lots of birds were singing - although it was a Dunnock who was the winner as he really putting some effort in.  Then it was on to the main reserve.  I headed straight to section where the Smews were seen but after a good few hours of searching, no Smew for me.  They were seen yesterday and the day after I visited.  However, the day I decide to visit they decided to move on for the day.  I have only seen Smew twice in my life - once in Lancashire and once in Yorkshire.  There was nothing you would not expect to see but good numbers of Goldeneye, Goosander and also Willow Tit and Tree Sparrow.  I did not think it could get any worse but it did - the centre had run out of cake and I had to make do with a flapjack!!!!!      

Time to move onto Swillington Ings - IMHO one of the nest nature reserves in the North West and Yorkshire.  I headed straight for the hillside to see if the White Fronted Goose was present but it was actually on the water associating with Greylags.  I decided to have a look around to see what else their was - nothing unusual but good numbers of waterfowl and waders.  The soundtrack to the day was the Skylark, one of  the few birds whose song can make me feel like my spirit is leaving my body and flying higher and higher. 

I had a walk around and caught sight of a Kestrel, Buzzard and Marsh Harrier.  I was told that the White Fronted Goose relocated to the hillside and I went to look for it.  I located it and with it was a Pink footed Goose.  I managed to get 4 species of Goose in 1 shot - I know 2 species are practically feral but still nice to see.  I also managed to see the White Front in one scope with a Hare and a Short-eared Owl.  

Overall an excellent day with a lot of walking!  Although a path separating two lakes had been flooded over because of the rains.  Pic 13 is how it is now and the final is how it should have been.