A brighter afternoon but a rapid deterioration by 1500 hrs with a blanket of lying snow and still coming down along with low cloud and fog over the Mountain.
Not to be deterred it was back on with the ,still wet from this morning, birding gear and down to Mixenden reservoir.
The reservoir was below the snow line but heavy rain made visibility difficult and the wierd lighting put everything into silhouette.
2 female and 1 male Goldeneye were on the water well out in the middle but after around 15 minutes later I was scanning the far end when I heard the familiar wing whistle and looked round to see the 3 Goldeneye circling high over the water before heading off >NE.
All the time I was there Curlews were calling from up around the Hunter Hill area so after this mornings sighting an obvious move of returning birds has taken place.
Otherwise it was just small gulls, several of the Black Headeds in spring/summer plumage now.
BS