Another bright, clear morning with blue skies and sunshine at minus 4 degrees but feeling warmer in the sun. A light NW>2 was coming off the moor and keeping the water free from ice. Looks like we,re coming to the end of the good weather now then back to higher temperatures bringing snow, rain and fog. Good while it lasted.
A good morning at Leeshaw with plenty activity though nothing special as yet. Only about a third of the winter Greylag flock turned up today staying briefly on the water before heading for the fields whilst a low count of Canadas remained on the banking along with several Mallard which kept alternating between the water and fields. Yesterdays 4 Teal were still present.
Gulls gave a poor show with only 3 Black Headed and a single Common gull though the best time for gulls at this site in freezing weather is late afternoon, pre roost birds.
Heron, 5 Lapwing and a Buzzard gave half decent views but otherwise it was down to the usual species.
A quick check on Ogden mid afternoon found much less frozen water than my last visit which was encouraging with one area near the prom and a strip down the west bank.
Just 5 Herring and around 30 small gulls present on the ice whilst the Mallards and 3 remaining Teal were in the sun over by the east bank.
Plenty signs of fallen Alder seeds showing that the Siskin/ Redpoll flock are still around but not showing today, whilst the big freeze has moved the Chaffinch flock on to lower ground. Hopefully they,ll return as the temperature rises.
BS.