A very dark damp morning with fog on the tops whilst Ogden was below the cloud base with full cloud on a light SE>3 at 5 degrees.
My plan was for Fly Flatts this morning but with fog on the tops I diverted to Leeshaw. I expected Leeshaw to be a bit of a problem with Long Causeway being closed until near the end of February but I aimed to go through Denholme and then on Trough Lane. As I approached Denholme Gate there was standing traffic as far as you could see towards Denholme which I later found out it was temporary traffic lights on the main road near Denholme causing gridlock. A quick three point turn to end up at Ogden again.
A Canada goose was on the water along with 12 Black Headed, 3 Common and a single Herring gull as well as the usual Mallards. Christmas tree work was ongoing along the east bank so just a check of the west and north bank waterside trees which were very dark and extremely quiet.
Apart from the usuals, just one area was interesting with up to 6 Treecreepers and 3 Wrens around the same three trees. Overhead a Raven was being mobbed by 3 Crows.
One hour spare mid afternoon so, as the dogs needed their afternoon walk up Foxhill. I threw them in the car and shot down to Horton Bank Top for a quick gull check.
Around 16 Herring gulls present on, the now unfrozen water, as well as near on 50 small gulls. Several Canada geese and 2 Mute Swan were present along with 2 pair of Goosander and a high count of Coot, Moorhen and Mallards. No sight or sound of the 2 recently reported Water Rails from there and just Great and Blue Tits in the trees.
A cloudy morning forecast for tomorrow on a moderate SE and, of course, the usual fog with the temp back down to 3 degrees. Rain given for after midday.
BS