One of those 'bring em in' mornings that I like with a mix of rain and drizzle showers with full cloud on a WNW>3 at 14 degrees.
Around 150 mixed gulls spread between the east and west shores along with 3 Cormorants and a single Heron. A female Goosander was present as well as the long staying Little Grebe whilst 10 Teal on the water was a bonus as well as 3 Greylag geese and 4 Tufted duck.
Near knocking off time I did a final scan around the shore when a wader flew through my field view way across on the west bank. My first thought was Common Sandpiper but I stayed on it till it landed on the distant shore and settled down.
At the distance from the east bank, and through the rain with bins only, I got its greyish plumage but its head was tucked under its wind which made me think Knot but, after patiently waiting 10 minutes, 2 Black Headed gulls started harassing it and luckily it flew across to the east shore but still some distance away and no chance of getting nearer as my view would be blocked with trees.
As it landed, 2 quick shots was enough to see it was a Dunlin in winter plumage showing its long black legs and curved bill. It once again settled down with its head tucked under, which was how I left it, asleep in the waters edge.
Though Ogden is by no means a decent wader site this is the second, first for site, wader species this year, the last one being Ruff.
As we officially move into autumn, autumn equinox today, the forecast for tomorrow is full sun on a light southerly, increasing slightly after midday, kicking off at 10 degrees and peaking at 17 degrees.
BS