Dense fog and rain early a.m. on a moderate NE>4 at 2 degrees. Ogden was misty by late morning with light rain turning to heavy snow but not settling on the ground. Full dark cloud.
Abandoned the early start to give the fog chance to ease a bit so arrived at Ogden at 1130 hrs.
A poor count of gulls on the water with just 8 Black Headed and 3 Common as well as the usual Mallards and a single Cormorant. Nothing in the sluice gate area but the west bank was more active, even in the now heavy snow, with a Tit flock of the 4 common Tit species along with a single Goldcrest,
2 Nuthatch and at least 5 Treecreepers. The Nuthatch and Treecreepers were concentrating on the moss on the dry stone wall rather than the trees but way too dark for any acceptable photos. A Sparrowhawk whizzed over the trees but never looked down.
Just down to the usual special otherwise so a stop off and walk along a boggy Ned Hill track with the fog now much lighter. A low field held around 30 Fieldfare and 5 Redwing as well as around the same count of Starlings and a single Lapwing whilst a Stonechat dropped down and disappeared into the gorse bushes.
A flock of 8 Black Headed gull headed >SW through the Causeway Foot Col as well as 3 Common and 2 LBB.
Another manky day expected tomorrow with snow, rain and fog on a light easterly with the easterlies forecast until a week on Wednesday !!!
BS