Despite the forecasters threatening danger of death in the wind and snow, today was a decent birding day with a few heavy but short blasts of showers with a mix of rain and snow. The temperature rose to 8 degrees this afternoon from 2 degrees this morning. The wind got to W>6 but was,nt an issue, even on the top of Soil Hill this p.m., I,ve been out in much worse.
Ogden, first light had some heavy hail showers to contend with but these were short lived with blue skies in between. The water, which was dark brown with the hillside mud washing down into it, was quiet at first other than about a dozen small gulls and the usual Mallards until firstly, a pair of Teal dropped in going way across into the sheltered NW corner and out of sight. These were closely followed by 3f and 2m Goosander dropping onto the north end of the water. A group of around 30 Siskin were flitting over the tree tops but only viewed from the promenade as the perimeter track was well boggy and I didnt fancy bathing the dogs so I stuck to the promenade area.
Late p.m. and down to Mixenden reservoir to pick up a Long Tailed duck and a diver, neither of which originated apart from in my mind.
Not a disappointing visit with DJSs 3m and 4f Goldeneye still present along with a female Goosander, 2 Cormorant, 3 Herring gull and several small gulls.
The west bank waterside trees were alive with around 15 Goldcrest and 4 Treecreeper all in one area flitting from the trees into the plantation and back. The track was awash from yesterdays rain with running water part way up the tripod legs whilst I was photographing the Goldeneye. Well done to the man that invented Rigger Boots.
With my job done at Mixy and some time left I decided to call up Soil Hill whilst it was so boggy to check out the old Jack Snipe and Snipe areas but neither species found, just 4 Skylark and a single Oystercatcher down on the Shay. Most of the old Snipe areas are gone as well as all the Snow Bunting hot spots with everywhere well over grown with long grass. The hill now is more or less down to being a good vantage point for distant sky watching.
Ogden
1pr Teal
3f 2m Goosander
few small gulls + usual Mallards.
Mixenden
3m 4f Goldeneye
2 Cormorant
1f Goosander
3 Herring gull
4 Treecreeper
c15 Goldcrest
small gulls
+ usual sp.
Soil Hill
4 Skylark
1 Oystercatcher
BS