A decent morning at Redcar Tarn with full cloud on a moderate W>3 at 5 degrees but staying fine. The water was 80% frozen.
With the water still being part frozen several species were missing, or on a lower count, with around 20 Tufted duck present along with Mallard, Coot and Moorhen whilst the usual over-wintering drake Wigeon and Pintail were present looking in perfect plumage. Good numbers of Canada and Greylag geese were in the fields as well as on the water but no specials among them.
At least 200 Black Headed and Common gull were frantically fighting over food being throw in whilst around 40 Herring gull were on the ice, all British Argenteus apart from 3 Scandinavian Argentatus, standing out with their darker mantles. Only 2 adult Lesser Black Backed present. A good check through failed to pick out Med gull or Yellow Legged Herring but its near time for an Iceland to turn up shortly.
The track side trees held several Blue and Great Tits as well as Chaffinch but no Brambling in the usual areas. A single Buzzard was in the distance.
A colder, cloudy morning starting off at 0 degree on a light SW with a low chance of rain and snow late afternoon.
BS