Cold Edge and Withens Head

Both small ponds at Cold Edge were almost frozen but the larger dams were still open water.
Just 1 female Goldeneye
c25 Mallard
1 Great Black-backed Gull  >N
1 Kestrel
30+ Red Grouse
A pair of Little Owls together near the former Moorcock pub looked a bit cold sitting on a wall !

Withens Head turned up a surprise with a pair of Stonechats feeding among the sheep hay just by the mast 50m past the former Withens pub. I wondered "what are they doing up here at 1,400 ft in the snow"? as they do seem to suffer in prolonged  freezing weather. Also a Robin and a Dunnock with them !!!

 Withens Head

 2 Stonechats (looking into the sun !)

Ogden and Soil Hill from Withens Head (Cold Edge Road)