As the norm, dense fog on a light NE>2 at 2 degrees with light drizzle. Harold Park was slightly misty and damp with very low light.
I had to head for the lowlands this morning to get below the fog so a check on Harold Park first stop where the water is very low now with more banking repairs taking place but good for the gulls.
Around 60 BH gulls were present along with 3 Common and 27 Herring, mainly 1CY birds, whilst a single Gt Crested Grebe was present, probably the missing bird from Park Dam. Only 1 Tufted at this site on the top pond along with Canadas and Mallards which was surprising going by the count of 45 at Wibsey on my last visit.
Otherwise down to the usual park species so on to Park Dam which also had a low count of Tufted with just 3 present. With the Mute Swan family being at Wibsey now there were just 2 on the water and a single in the field. The single looked slightly depressed, and talking to a swan rescue lady there she told me it had been badly bullied by other swans so she was keeping an eye on it and making sure it was fed daily.
A record count of 16 Goosander which surely must invite a Smew in this winter, so living in hopes for that. Its now 3 years since my last female or 1CY bird at Mixenden in December 2021.
Once again, it was otherwise down to the expected species with no return on either water of the pair of Pochard last seen at Harold Park last month.
The swan lady told me that there was an unconfirmed report of a Med gull sighted at Horton Bank Top CP but not sure when. She has just introduced a pair of Mute swan there as the last male was killed by a dog and the female died of natural causes.
So despite the manky weather, a good mornings birding.
A light NE for morning at minus 1 degree with cloud and possibly a hint of sunshine p.m. Its showing the mornings visibility to be good but I'll believe that when I see it.
BS