It’s all happening at Langford Lowfields

This warm Autumn is producing some memorable sights at Langford Lowfields reserve and our visitors and volunteers are really enjoying the displays.

The leaves are turning beautifully, making the place very colourful after the drab summer months and the wildlife is flocking in to enjoy it too. It’s been quiet since the end of the breeding season but it’s all happening now.

Lots of unusual stuff has been turning up including merlin, little stint, ruddy ducks, goosander and a great northern diver. Yes, that’s right, a great northern diver, the first confirmed report of this fabulous bird at Langford Lowfields.

Great northern diver, photo Joe Harris

And we’re seeing the winter birds starting to appear. We’ve had pink-footed geese, grey and golden plover, up to 13 whooper swans (what a sight), bramblings, fieldfares and redwings.

The bearded tits have been keeping their heads down over the summer, but they are now in full view, with 13 being seen at one point.

Even better must be the harvest mouse. We suspected that they must be here with all our acres of reedbeds, but one of our wonderful volunteers has now seen one, and we’ve also found a characteristic tennis ball nest.

Harvest mouse nest, photo Dave Watt

But the star of my show must be the juvenile gannet. Now where did that come from!   This young bird, perhaps hatched on the east coast, saw the mighty River Trent and decided to follow it all the way to Nottinghamshire. And what a sight it was, gliding low over the water. Awesome!

Don’t forget that our temporary seasonal trail is still open, giving you access into the heart of the reserve. So call in and get a piece of the action at Langford Lowfields.