Full cloud on a light SW>2 at 16 degrees.
With a hospital run this morning I took an extended dog walk midday to Ogden to check the gull situation and see if any of the reported movement of Siskin and Redpoll had stopped off in the Alders.
Seemed strange walking the track at Ogden in 16 degrees and very light wind, whereas I'm more adapted to early morning birding at around 10 degrees and a good wind.
Once away from the madness of the car park, cafe and toilet areas it was reasonably public free with little disturbance along the west bank. The annual Chaffinch flock is starting to build with around 30 birds feeding on their favourite weeds on the banking. Hopefully, providing the water stays down below the weeds, winter Bramblings could turn up in with the Chaffinch flock though the water has risen over the weeds in previous years with my last Brambling sighting here being Feb 2017 when good flocks were feeding on the banking. Since then I've just had a single female in November 2022.
A couple of Chiffchaff were in the waterside trees along with 1 Treecreeper and several Robins. No sign of Siskin or Redpoll though the leaves are still very dense and the Alders are not in fruit as yet. Just a single Raven and Buzzard skyward with still no skeins of Pinks to be seen.
The main feature today was gulls with a good count of LBBs and Black Headed as well as 16 Herring and around 20 Common. Several of the adult LBBs had retained their pink legs. Should be due a Med gull anytime.
Looks poor tomorrow with a rain warning and strengthening westerly turning north starting at 14 degrees so at least it will be warm water coming down.
BS.