First woolly hat day of the autumn.

Soil Hill & Ogden Water

13:20

I dropped some Nyger seed on the soil hill track this afternoon watched closely by 2 fat looking Carrion Crow. 

I'll enquire, next time I'm at at B&M, to see if they have any special fat-free Nyger seed for the crows.

It was cold up here with a fairly strong Westerly blowing.

2 unids flew north following the line of the main track, side by side, before disappearing over the hill. poss. Golden Plover but I’ll never know.

Other than that there were just a couple of Meadow Pipit, 6 Goldfinch and a hunting Kestrel to report.

Ogden:

After Soil Hill, with nothing seen on Coal Lane or through the plantation, I had a leisurely stroll around a very calm and quiet Ogden Water.

Ogden needs some rain – big style, the water is very, very low.

C130 Small gulls were here and there mainly BHG but with a few LBBG and Common Gull in the mix.

As I was walking along the west side path towards the NW corner a small bird was being pestered by a BHG. Little Grebe I though but it turned out to be a duck. 

It was far off in the middle of the pond and I though it might be a F. Teal.

Later as I came around to the East side the duck came to the edge, but, because of the lack of lake juice,  still far away – I still think it’s a F. Teal but the bill looks quite large.

( Any comments would be appreciated).

While on the NW corner a Raven called as it flew high over me > ESE.

Later, looking back to the NW corner a second Raven called circled and dropped down, far off, behind the trees.

Passerine alley was deadsville and there was just a Coal Tit on the feeders.

Coming home, at the top of Taylor Lane, 6 Fieldfare flew, sprawled out going west.

Also here 16 Starlings landed on the telephone lines with a couple of Meadow Pipit and a Chaffinch.

Nice to get a 'different' duck on Ogden for a change.(Unless of course it's a Mallard).

There's a big storm coming next week (along with free beer) - batten down the hatches.

Enjoying getting fat(ter) at present , courtesy of Abigail & Grandma Sue's ginger bread men.

Ogden from Ned Hill Track

A rare view of a very low Ogden Water

Love 'em or hate 'em they are still pretty

Measuring devices redundant

Fieldfare honest