A bright and breezy morning at Low Moor with clear blue skies and sunshine on a cool SW>4 at 5 degrees.
No sign of the reported Shoveler today and a bit quieter on the water with no Goosanders and only 2 Tufted present though a single Mute Swan with a Horton Bank Top leg ring showing was briefly on the water before flying off in the direction of Bank Top.
A good count of around 60 Black Headed and 18 Herring gull along with 5 Common, all carefully checked through for Med or Yellow Legged, but not to be, whilst the Little Grebe was diving throughout. A single Cormorant was new in but otherwise, all the usual expected species.
Across the road at Park Dam I expected to find the Shoveler among the 43 Mallard but again, no sign, though I arrived at the same time as the Swan lady who was on the far shore which attracted everything over to her corner.
Another adult Mute swan has now joined the family of 9 and all seemingly getting well fed daily.
The Gt White Egret was on the far shore before flying up into its favourite pine tree where it remained throughout. Wildfowl numbers were down here also with only 2 Tufted and 4 Goosander plus no sign of the Gt Crested Grebes, though all the wildfowl here seem to move around between the two waters as well as Bank Top and Wibsey.
Just need some colder weather to liven up the wildfowl scene.
Mid afternoon a large flock of around 40 Fieldfare were in the newly drained fields opposite Keelham farm shop.
Just seen tonight on e-bird that the Shoveler has turned up at Horton Bank Top, (T.Mc.)
Looks like 2024 is going out with a bang tomorrow with a dry morning then heavy rain and gale force SW winds from midday on. At least it will keep the fireworks down a bit so not to spook the dogs.
BS