An atrocious morning up here on the tops with heavy rain, snow and mist throughout on a moderate
W>4. Not a birding morning but with the dogs to walk I thought we may as well get wet at Ogden as Foxhill with the added chance of something on the water.
A change of rig for the wet conditions with the Canon 7d Mk1 round my neck along with the Canon 300mm L IS lens plus a Canon 1.4 converter in my pocket just in case of a mega on the water. This set up with converter would get me out to 672 mm but unfortunately none of it was required.
The water at Ogden was very quiet with 1 Canada Goose, 2 Common gulls, the long staying Goosander pair and a few Mallards.
Down in the sluice gate the Dipper was again present and the Kingfisher was on its favourite perch in the far corner. A single Jay flew from the lodge house trees along with 2 Woodpigeons whilst 2 LBJs flew across into the plantation but too wet to identify them, probably Chaffinch.
On the return journey a stop at Raggalds Flood in a bleak snow storm found JLs Redshank present, which should be joined by a second anytime it they keep up their annual tradition. Also by the water were 1 Herring gull, 1 LBB gull, 1 Lapwing and a Carrion Crow.
Two year since I had a Kittiwake at this site so worth keeping an eye on whilst the water lasts. This site has also held the following waders :-
A count of 8 Snipe
1 Jack Snipe found dead nearby, DW
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover x2
Little Ringed Plover x3
Dunlin
BS