Snow and ice in the park

I walked around the park on my way to work yesterday and today. The pond was iced up, with only two small patches around the fountains free if ice. There was a layer of snow a few cm deep and the strong Easterly made it for very cold feeling. The whiteness of the ground and dark grey skies make a noticeable difference to how bird plumage reflects the light. The underwing of Common Gulls looks very dark, reminiscent of Lesser Black-backed gulls. The wings of immature Herring gulls in contrast, looks very pale.
 The milder weather that was encouraging birds to sing brutally stopped and was replaced by much harsher conditions. Still, the Blackbird below insisted on singing. It looks in beautiful breeding condition. The glow from the snow on the ground gives it a strange ashy colour.

The flock of Common Gulls loafed on the icy pond, pointing east to minimise the impact of the wind on their plumage. I took lots of photos as they are such photogenic subjects. I didn't notice when I took the photo below, that there was an unusual bird walking amongst the Common Gulls.

 This Carrion Crow called repeatedly. It pecked the snow later, looking a bit annoyed that it wasn't easy to see what lay beneath.

The Stock Doves called from the tree above the crow, seemingly undeterred.

 More lovely Common Gulls.

At some point one of the Common Gulls appeared with what it looked like a stick and roused the interest of other gulls

 But then I noticed this absolute rarity in the park, a Ruff!

 Eventually was flushed by a gull and disappeared.

A Moorhen walked about on the ice.

When checking the photos last night. I saw there was an unusual gull in the flock. It looks like a Mediterranean gull, but other photos show it might just be a Black-headed gull moulting into its summer plumage. I looked for it today but no luck. 

 The young Mute Swan is still about, looking whiter everyday. Its mum departed a few weeks ago, but the young one came back after leaving, according to one of the park wardens.

 I returned today. I started checking the gulls, but people feeding them meant they wouldn't stand still.

 This is a young Common Gull, looking like it hasn't moulted many of its feathers.

 A young Herring Gull amused itself with a dummy, making for some comical photos.