A terrible morning at Ogden both weather wise and bird wise with a mix of heavy showers and drizzle throughout the watch on a moderate WSW>4 with full low cloud at 10 degrees.
Plenty bird song from Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chaffinch, as well as the usual common woodland species, but Chaffinch were about the only species showing themselves whilst the other species kept to the shelter of the deep foliage.
The drake Tufted is still hanging around like an expectant father whilst the female is probably on eggs. Just 2 Mallard ducklings to be found which is probably due to the 2, and sometimes 3, Heron on the bank as well as several Crows. I'm expecting Great or Little Egret at this site anytime as conditions are ideal but nothing so far.
Just 3 Lesser Black Backed gulls present and now starting to use the exposed shore on the east bank, as long as all the rain does'nt raise the water level too much. Plenty shore now showing at both the east and west banks though Ogden has never been known for being a wader habitat due to it being surrounded with trees. Clifford Lees from Halifax Scientific Society used to tell us, back in the 60s, that water surrounded by trees made waders suspect that they were dropping down into a trap.
Over the years I've had a few surprises with Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Redshank and more common, Oystercatcher, Curlew and Common Sandpiper, plus NK had Black Tailed Godwits on the east shore a few years ago, so its always worth giving the shoreline a scan .
More sunshine and showers for tomorrow on a moderate westerly kicking off at 8 degrees.
BS
