A wild morning with a strong NW>5 gusting 6 and a mix of sunshine and showers at 5 degrees with some very dark silhouetting clouds.
To find some shelter from the wind I headed for Ogden first light which was wafting across the promenade but sheltered on the west bank.
A disappointment on the water with just 16 Black Headed gull to start off with and only building to around 60 small gulls by the end of the watch and not a Goldeneye in sight.
The west bank was very lively with the usual Goldcrests and Tits along with 2 Treecreepers and a single female Gt Spotted Woodpecker. The Kingfisher was working the west bank area moving along overhanging branches.
Mid afternoon and a check of Mixenden reservoir was about the same as Ogden with a count of around 100 small gulls and a single Herring gull which made me stop in my tracks with the first view, looking into the sun, I thought I had an Iceland, dream on. A Cormorant was also on the water.
Plenty activity here on the west bank with several Goldcrest plus Blue and Great Tit whilst the Siskin flock was present but very mobile in the wind blown Alders, moving continuously between the Alders and Conifers at the edge of the wood.
The north long hedge produced 8 Goldfinch plus Blackbirds, Tits, Dunnock and Robin.
Not looking good for tomorrow with rain and a gale force westerly but at least its February, the month when things start to happen.
BS