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Joe Harris (RSPB Langford Lowfields Site Manager)

Star of the show this month was/is the great northern diver, found during the WeBS count floating around on the crystal clear waters of the Main Lake. This can be viewed from the perimeter footpath as it cuts round the southern part of the site. The bird is moving between the southern and northern halves of the lake and is living up to its name, spending long periods underwater, meaning that it can take time to spot it. The bird is still present as of Tuesday (9th November) afternoon.

Aside from the GND excitement, a good range of other wintery species were picked up during the WeBS:

P1

P2

P3

Total

Great Northern Diver

1

1

Canada goose

2

22

24

Cormorant

1

48

49

Coot

1

1

126

128

Gadwall

50

10

148

208

Grey heron

1

3

4

Little grebe

1

1

2

Mallard 

5

18

39

62

Mute swan

13

30

17

60

Shoveler

13

7

31

51

Teal

4

1

197

202

Tufted duck

24

108

75

207

Wigeon

13

106

119

Goldeneye

1

9

10

Pintail

1

1

Great white egret

2

2

Pochard

12

12

Greylag goose

1

1

Garganey

1

1

Black headed gull

14

14

Little egret

3

3

Great crested grebe

2

2

Lesser black backed gull

1

1

Common gull

6

6

Herring gull

3

3

The GND is the first one recorded at Langford and brings the total number of bird species recorded on site since the late 80's to 214, which isn't bad for an inland site, miles away from the coast. Here's another photo, this one taken by Stuart Carlton.