1430 hrs and a drive up to Fly Flatts to suss out the situation which is far from good.
The water is 100% frozen and snow covered whilst the track is impassable apart from the YWs
4x4 with winter knobblies on. The weather was excellent with a light NNE >3 , wall to wall sunshine and good visibility at 1 degree.
A walk down the track to the water, or what used to be water, found the area void of birds without even the sound of Red Grouse. I didnt walk the west bank as I didnt want to leave the car by the top gate too long with several undesirables up and down the top road and the usual rikkers in their 4x4s.
Back at the car and 30 minutes sky watching was,nt much better with just a few LBB gulls > NE and a small group of Fieldfare over the moor. The usual 2 Carrion Crow were present but no sign of the Short Eared Owl.
Snow forecast for tomorrow then milder temperatures and rain next week which it whats needed to shift the snow otherwise it will be May before the track,s fit to drive down.
Uplands reservoir check today found :-
Fly Flatts reservoir 100% frozen
Ogden reservoir 80% frozen
Mixenden reservior 50% frozen
Cold Edge, Leadbeater Dam 100% frozen
Cold Edge, Haigh Cote Dam 100% frozen.
BS