A much better late afternoon session at Ogden with clear blue frosty skies and a nice sunset on a light >NW4 although walking was treacherous with sheet ice all along the promenade and around the track which is made worse with 2 dogs tethered to your belt and dragging you along.
As soon as I arrived a drake Goldeneye was leaving the water but unfortunately left fast and low to the >NW shortly followed by a male Goosander which luckily this bird flew a circuit before heading off NE. A pair of Teal were under the NW banking , a favourite spot for them, whilst arond 30 small gulls were on the water along with a few soaring up above.
Five Canada geese were just offshore from the east bank watch point but left at last light for Mixenden.
Back at the car park the flock of mixed Goldfinch and Chaffinches had risen to around 30 birds but very mobile finally settling in the trees above the top car park . As I was tackling up Herring gulls started coming over very high and >SW with a total of around 40 and as I was ready to roll right on the edge of darkness a Heron came low over the top of the car too close to get it in the frame.
A pleasing three quarters of an hour.
BS