Well, winter seems to have finally given way to spring (almost...it's a little chilly today!), but the past week has been glorious and has produced some great sightings - most welcome after such a slow start.
Wader-wise, we have had 5 ruff on site - almost unheard of for Langford. This is a species that usually turns up as singles in autumn and not always every year. We had a good year for them in 2014, with several singles throughout the autumn. However, to have 5 together in spring is most pleasing. Both ringed plover and little ringed plover have been present on site all week, 2 black-tailed godwit were on Phase 3 early in the week, curlew, green sandpiper and redshank have been vocal and lapwing are displaying over the southern end of the reserve.
Passerine migrants are arriving too, with increasing numbers of chiffchaff, the first willow warbler and blackcap on Thursday morning and the first sedge warbler in yesterday morning, singing from scrub at the south-western corner of the Cromwell trail (where you go up the slope, through the scrub).
Sand martins are increasing in number, with about 120 over on Thursday morning. No activity in the bank yet, but it's early days still and we will be sure to keep everyone posted on their progress. Beach Hut volunteer Peter Leach saw the first swallow over site yesterday afternoon too.
And two good raptor records from yesterday. Thanks to a tip off from Mike Warren, we were treated to the second red kite sighting over the office in a month. After an absence since last March, it's nice to see two in quick succession. A species we hope to see much more of in the future. A phone call from Julie late yesterday afternoon to report a male marsh harrier over the visitor trails was also most welcome news.
Butterflies are finally emerging in numbers, with small tortoiseshell, peacock, brimstone, comma and red admiral now on the wing. Orange-tip, green-veined white and speckled wood will be next to emerge, so keep looking. Large red damselfly and four-spot chaser should be the first of the Odonata to appear soon and don't forget to look out for last year's new discovery on site - the hairy dragonfly. They fly from April-early June and I hope to confirm their presence here again this year.
The cowslips on Phase 1 are now in full bloom, trees are coming into leaf, blackthorn blossom is out and lesser celandine, coltsfoot, red dead-nettle and ground ivy are all in flower.
Pleased to hear the first sedge warbler of the year yesterday (10th April). Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
This sand martin image was taken in 2012 at our bank - won't be long before it's full of nest holes again. Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)