Ogden 0800-0915hrs Heavy rain throughout, swirling fog, calm.
Thick fog on the tops made it an easy decision to head to Ogden and look for NKs Wigeon from yesterday.
Last night I was torn between vis mig watch on the tops or Wigeon in the bottom but luckily the weather decided for me.
Many of you reading this will wonder why all the fuss for a relatively common winter duck but Wigeon would be a site tick for me and a first for the area since DJS s sightings many moons ago. In an area like ours youve to get the ticks when you can.
At Ogden the whole of the duck population were scattered around the edges of the water mainly on the banking and apart from a Gt Crested Grebe the water was empty. The rain was lashing down without mercy and fog banks kept swirling in. I scanned as many ducks as possible which soon became impossible through wet and steamed up bins so eventually had to admit defeat and head home.
The Chaffinch flock was still in the same area on the west shore and several tit flocks were building. Plenty Robins were around the edges but no continental jobs.
Hopefully I,ll get an hour late afternoon or if not its wait till next Sunday, not an easy hobby this!
All I have to do now is sort a pile of wet clothes out and 3 soggy dogs.
BS
WEST YORKSHIRE BIRDING. BRIAN SUMNER. I am based at Queensbury and bird a patch within a 10 mile range of home incorporating 16 stretches of water, several plantations, a belt of woodland, stretches of river and canal and good areas of moorland. I specialize in upland birds, reservoir and sky watching. My local patch is Fly Flatts reservoir. Any reports can be sent by text or call to 07771 705024 or see profile for e mail address. All images on this blog are copyright.(2024).