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Friday, May 29, 2015

Ogden p.m.

 A bad year for Ogden Mallards with just these 2 remaining which were looking vulnerable out on the water with carrion Crows watching nearby.
At least 28 chicks have disappeared, many with Crows and there are no juvs around.

Bright and breezy at Ogden this evening with a strong NW>6 and white horses across the water.
Surprisingly very quiet both on the water and in the sky with just a few Mallard and the Tufted which flew in from the direction of Mixenden. No sign of the Grebes.
8 Swifts headed >N whilst the Grey Wagtail was down in the overflow.
7 Carrion Crows were in the feeding corner attracted by loads of bread left behind, this being the reason for the loss of so many ducklings.

Leaving on a sad note,
                                     Veteran B.O.G. birder Tony Gough sadly passed away last night never recovering from the stroke he suffered a few days ago.
Tony was a well known and well liked character renown for his dry sense of humour and wit who soon had you in fits of laughter without so much as a smile from himself.
HC and myself have shared many happy hours at Barden with Tony where he proved himself a real expert with the raptors.
He,ll be sadly missed by many.
Thanks to HC for keeping me updated over the last few days.
BS