Decent conditions at Ogden this morning with sunshine and showers on a light SW>3 at 2 degrees.
Plenty activity along the west bank with a Nuthatch up singing as well as several Blue and Great Tits whilst 4 Chaffinch were working their way through the waterside trees as well as several Treecreepers.
The usual pair of Tufted duck were still on the water but a poor show of gulls with 4 LBB, 2 Common and 2 Black Headed.
Walking back along the west bank, near to knocking off time, I was looking at the LBB gulls out on the water when a small duck came into view way over by the east bank.
It was very hard to make out with the waves and glimmer on the water and I put it down to probable the female Tufted. A scan round the water revealed the pair of Tufted together so alarm bells started ringing. I relocated the duck which turned out to be a drake Mandarin, a rare species for this site although I had a pair here briefly in November last year.
A quick dash back to the promenade to get better views and photos, only to find it had drifted way up into the north corner, and with time up I had to let it go, but a good record for Ogden.
A similar forecast for tomorrow with sunshine and showers on a light to moderate SW at 3 degrees.
BS