A terrible morning with thick fog on the tops along with heavy drizzle so a visit to Leeshaw was aborted and ended up at Mixenden. Only partial visibility over the water with heavy mist and drizzle on a light S>2 at 7 degrees. The fog and rain cleared by 0915 hrs but still dark and hazy.
As I peered over the south bank into the mist a drake Goldeneye was on the water but after seeing it dive twice it disappeared into the fog. A walk on the west bank, expecting to see it at the north end , but when the fog had gone, so had the bird, not to return whilst I was there.
Just around 50 small gulls on the water along with 4 Mallard whilst 2 Mistle Thrush flew overhead, disappearing into the plantation. A poor visit in the conditions but good to get a Goldeneye at last which will hopefully return.
Late afternoon and a dash out to check the gull situation at Horton Bank Top which only held 9 Herring and around 40 small gulls as well as 2m and 1f Goosander plus the usual Mute Swan, Moorhens, Coots, Mallards etc.
On then to Wibsey park which here again held several small gulls but only 4 Herring flyovers but the lake was well stocked with around 40 Tufted Duck as well as Canadas, Greylags, Mute Swans, Coots and Moorhens plus the usual duck pond stuff.
The annual, winter visiting male Shoveler was still present and well settled in with the Tufteds whilst a good count of around 30 Collared Doves were in the park trees as well as a large flock of Goldfinch.
More rain for morning on a moderate westerly wind, nothing new there then!
BS