Full

I've mentioned before how the water in the Red Brick Dam rises and falls considerably through the year - in summer it's barely a quarter the extent of this. It was just a few courses of bricks short of spilling over (extra) into the woods behind, and there was water seeping through the bricks that are exposed. Most of the wall is supported by a significant earth bank though so i don't think thee's any imminent danger of collapse. Lots of Mallard, Moorhen and a pair of Gadwall were in residence.

At the main Tong Park Dam there was still a bit of ice in the middle, which the gulls enjoy standing on. In the beck just behind it was nice to a see a Dipper for the first time in a while in their regular spot.

Otherwise, quite a good day for casual encounters with smaller birds: flocks of Goldfinch and Long-tailed Tit; Bullfinch; Nuthatch; Wren etc.