The overnight fog partially cleared first light leaving some patches of fog and otherwise dark and misty on a light E>2 at a mild 7 degrees.
From the prom at Ogden I picked out 6 small ducks in the water at the far north end but could only pick out one white and 5 dark birds in the mist. A quick dash on the west bank, thinking Goldeneye, exposed them as 6 Tufted, 3ducks, 3 drakes, which was at least a start to get something on the water.
As I dashed on the west bank a small flock of 12 Redpoll flew from the same Alder tree that I saw them in last week but disappeared behind the Lodge house, not to be re-located.
Several Tits about and at least 4 Goldcrest whilst a noisy Raven was in the plantation. Just a few Black Headed gulls on the water as well as the return of the female Goosander.
As I was walking back through the car park, scanning the tree tops, a skein of 77 Pink Footed Geese were to the north of me heading west which were only picked up by chance in the background of the trees. These Trans Pennine skeins are bang on schedule as the geese swop from east to west and visa versa before starting to head off back to their breeding grounds.
Another cloudy, misty day tomorrow with a slightly stronger easterly at 6 degrees.
BS