An early evening visit to Ogden found it blustery with a near gale force NW>6-7 dropping to NW>5 before I left. The water was like the North sea with waves splashing onto the SE corner and white horses rolling on the wave tops.
All the Mallards and gulls were in the shelter of the NW corner with a good count of small gulls riding the waves with birds still coming in as I came away. About 150 small gulls were present with 75% being BHGs.
No big gulls were seen apart from a few LBBs flying over >E.
Several Chaffinch were showing suggesting a move and the resident Heron was hanging on in there in the wind.
Getting back to the car a nice flock of 11 noisy Crossbills flew quickly from the wood opposite the info centre and disappeared deep into a large pine above the duck feeding area.
Syke Lane held 38 Common gulls.
BS