1st winter Common gull
Moorhen creeping through the undergrowth
1st winter bird.
Not a common species for Ogden
1430 hrs and a visit to Redcar Tarn was aborted due to fog over the hills and snow falling with threatening looking skies so again back to Ogden.
On arrival the snow was falling heavy on an increasing E>4 so I planned a quick check of the water then home before the roads got bad but fortunately the snow eased to a steady dusting throughout so managed a full session.
As I was walking down the hill by the info centre 2 Goldeneye were flying low over the promenade towards Mixenden but, as with the Shelduck this morning, I could,nt say whether they had come off the water or not..
A walk on the east bank as far as the watch point and back produced little in the way of passerines other than the usual stuff so I concentrated on the south end.
An unusual find for here was a first year Moorhen skulking under the SE banking before later taking to the water. Ive had several one off sightings for most months of the year of a single Moorhen but always very elusive,
A good count of Common gulls were on the water with 27 in amongst around 40 BHGs and a single adult Herring gull whilst 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers flew into trees near the north end of the car park.
Good news as I got back to the car when 7 Chaffinch dropped into their usual pre roost tree at the side of the car park so there may be a chance of Brambling yet.
BS