With thick fog and bad road conditions Ogden was the only local option this morning so arrived at a late 0830hrs waiting for the daylight . A thick mist was hanging over the area so only half way out on the water was visible but satisfied that nothing was out there after a full walk around the perimeter.
A lucky break when Pippa started growling and as I looked up at the Squirrel that had caught her eye in passerine alley 5 Shelduck flew silently over >NE and disappeared over the trees in seconds. But for Pippa and the Squirrel I,d have missed them completely. I dont think they had come off the water as the wind was calm other than a slight E>3 so I would probably have heard them lift off.
Checking out the Tit flock found on the west bank it comprised of Blue,Great, Coal but no Long Tailed. Also present were 4 Goldcrest amongst them.
Looks like a year without Siskin, Redpoll , Brambling and Chaffinch flock with no banking of weeds to invite them in.
A good count of 18 Robins around the water, some resident birds very tame whilst several timid continental jobs. A good show of Blackbirds, again possibly continentals, along with Mistle thrush and plenty Magpies.
A count of around 160 Mallard around the feeding corner all in for easy food for winter whilst the seed feeders were busy with the usual species.
All in all a good morning and the frozen snow meant I didnt need to wash the mud off the dogs as I got home.
BS