A pleasant, mild morning at Ogden with the early sunrise soon being clouded over leaving full cloud on a light SE>2 at 5 degrees.
A livelier morning though nothing outstanding with most of the activity along the west bank today with a tit flock of around 30 birds with the 4 common tit species as well as Goldcrests, Nuthatch and Treecreepers whilst a pair of Bullfinch were on the east bank.
The female Goosander has reappeared on the water along with around 50 small gulls, 2 Herring and a single LBB.
With Lynda not wanting to go out this afternoon I took the opportunity to have a quick check on Harold Park and Park Dam at Low Moor after following NKs reports of Gt White Egret, Pochard and Wigeon present on previous days. I,ve been meaning to visit this area but traffic is horrendous early morning when I get out which has always put me off going. This afternoon traffic was quiet so only a 15 minute journey.
The Gt White Egret was present by the park lake but could only be viewed from distance across the water due to half the park being closed off for repair work. At one point it flew across the water onto the island but was then obscured by trees but a great bird to get which is now starting to get more popular and may, in the future, become as common as Heron.
Otherwise, just the usual park lake stuff with plenty Tufted duck, Coot and Moorhen along with several small gulls as well as 8 Herring.
Across the road at Park Dam, NKs Pochard had moved on but plenty activity for such a small area of water with a pair of adult Mute Swan with 7 juveniles in tow. Several Tufted and Mallard along with Goosanders and 2 Gt Crested Grebe, Little Grebe and a good count of small gulls as well as Herring and LBB. Nice to find an area with such a good quantity of wildfowl when most sites are dead at the moment. Thanks to NK for the info.
Looking like plenty cloud about in the morning on a light SW.
BS