It's definitely starting to feel like the changing of the seasons in the last couple of weeks, with some cooler nights and the disappearance of our summer migrants - notice the distinct lack of reed and sedge warblers recently? However, the onset of autumn brings other wildlife to the site. Wader passage well underway now and we have had some excellent sightings throughout August and early September. Wood sandpiper is now almost annual at Langford and an individual stayed on Phase 1, easily viewable from the Beach Hut for a few days. A stunningly plumaged black-tailed godwit did the same, still looking amazing in it's bright orange breeding plumage. Dunlin, little ringed plover, common sandpiper, green sandpiper and greenshank have all provided a good supporting cast and the season isn't over yet, with the potential for more waders to drop in over the next few weeks, so keep eyes open!
Last week another nice surprise dropped into site - a great white egret. Seen on three days over the week, the bird showed well on Phase 1 and also spent some time at the southern end of the site too. This is the first 'on the deck' sighting this year of this species.
Another good passage bird too last Thursday was an osprey over the Beach Hut. Seen by Beach Hut volunteer Phil Rogers and birder Dave Roberts, the bird showed well for 10 minutes as it drifted over the site on it's long migration to west Africa.
Insects are still plentiful when the sun comes out, with red admiral butterflies having a great year in particular. I was pleased to catch up with common darter, having seen very few this year a confiding individual showed very well at our storage containers last week. And finally, a stunning sighting of 50-60 migrant hawkers feeding over our pollen and nectar mix field by the car park on Friday last week. It's not often we see such large concentrations of dragonflies, so this was really special!
Greenshank - a Langford autumn regular. Andy Hay (rspb-images.com).
Common darter.