Skylarks are singing, great-crested grebes are weed dancing, colts’ foot is in flower and brimstone, comma, red admiral and peacock butterflies are on the wing... spring is springing!
The February WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) count served up another generous helping of wetland delights. Last year our dedicated WeBS volunteers were trudging through a cold, windy, Antarctic-like landscape, this year was totally different with Langford looking every part the sun-drenched wetland paradise which it is.
Shelduck
21
Wigeon
164
Mute swan
11
Mallard
25
Common gull
24
Herring gull
3
Lesser black backed gull
1
Black headed gull
416
Coot
145
Teal
37
Moorhen
5
Tufted duck
208
Gadwall
78
Pochard
52
Canada goose
Greylag goose
150
Shoveler
31
Cormorant
48
Grey heron
Great crested grebe
4
Oystercatcher
Great white egret
Little egret
2
Goldeneye
19
Green sandpiper
Lapwing
35
Jack snipe
Water pipit
Seeing that selection of birds anywhere at this time of year would count as a good days birding! Nothing is guaranteed, but with a bit of patience and maybe some luck, Langford offers up some pretty amazing wildlife. Other recent sightings include a pair of kingfishers seen today, feeding on fish coming in through the outfall sluice (which links us to the river) and the bearded tits, which have been showing really well. As in previous years the boardwalk seems to be the best place to see or hear the beardies from, but as with all birds they do have a habit of moving around the reserve.
Photos below both taken by Stuart Carlton (Twitter: @StuartCarlton48). Great white egret and a stunning barn owl.