There was a real autumnal, if not wintery, feel to the air at Linacre this morning, as I arrived just before 7am, for the monthly WeBS count. It was just 2 degrees, and sheltered spots had a covering of frost. As always, October's WeBS count sees the highest waterbird counts for some months, and today's count did not disappoint.
Birds seen were: Mandarin Duck (166 - highest count of the year), Mallard (139 - highest count since January, when 141 were counted), Tufted Duck (47 - highest count since February, when 53 were seen), Teal (1fm), Coot (7), Moorhen (14),Great-crested Grebe (4; 2 adults and 2 juveniles), Little Grebe (1 adult), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail (1), Grey Heron (1) and the first returning Black-headed Gulls (38).
Other birds heard or seen: Raven (1 heard), Magpie (1), Skylark (1 heard), Long-tailed Tit (flock of c.15), Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin and Tawny Owl (1 heard).
Despite the cold weather, it was also very sunny, and I spotted 2 butterflies on the wing, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small Tortoiseshell - my latest ever sightings.
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