An icy cold W>4 at Leeshaw early morn at 2 degrees with a mix of sunshine and snow showers.
Better conditions this morning without the low cloud and drizzle from yesterday but quieter on the birds. Just 1 pair of Goosander on the water along with 2 Greylags whilst around 200 small gulls were present but no Herring or LBB.
A group of 15 Lapwing were in the goose field along with a mobile flock of 12 Meadow Pipits. Otherwise just the usual species whilst Fieldfare and Redwing are noticeable by their absense.
Far be it from me to go tame bird watching in a park but todays visit to Wibsey had 3 purposes. Firstly to check the winter gull situation, which was slightly disappointing with around 100 gulls ,all being Black Headed and no Commons, Herring or LBBs.
Secondly to check out JBs report of Tufted duck , which was far from disappointing, with a record count of at least 43 showing and possibly more on the island.
And thirdly, a long shot to see if last Februarys drake Shoveler had returned which amazingly it had.
Mute swans are doing well there with 5 adults and 3 first winter birds and luckily, as I was trying to collect the ring numbers, Judy Hoggs colleague from Swan Rescue turned up and reeled the numbers off to me plus the history of each swan. Many thanks to her, whose name I unfortunately did,nt get.
So a pleasant walk in the park paid off although I was soon brought back down to earth on my return getting pelted with hail stones as I walked the dogs over Foxhill.
BS