Probably due to the milder weather, it feels like it's been a relatively 'quiet' winter at Langford, nothing too out of the ordinary has turned up and duck numbers have been on the lower side compared to previous years (although during the 22/23 winter period we have set new WeBS records for pintail in October and gadwall in December). Despite the overall lower numbers, a well rounded suite of birds were recorded on this months count, including the seemingly now ever-present great white egret and a couple of oystercatchers heralding the start of spring.

P1

P2

P3

Total

Canada goose

8

2

9

19

Greylag goose

2

28

37

67

Coot

22

43

65

Cormorant

3

10

4

17

Gadwall

10

8

18

36

Goldeneye

1

26

27

Great-crested grebe

1

7

8

Mallard

2

10

22

34

Moorhen

3

3

Mute swan

1

2

1

4

Pochard

8

12

20

Shoveler

6

26

32

Teal

2

10

68

80

Tufted duck

46

144

122

312

Water rail

1

4

5

Black-headed gull

4

140

144

Grey heron

1

1

2

Little egret

3

2

5

Common gull

100

100

Great white egret

1

1

Little grebe

1

1

Oystercatcher

2

2

Shelduck

1

1

Wigeon

198

198

Curlew

1

1

Photo of an ermine stoat taken on the Langford public footpath by a very fortunate Ian Hicks