Firstly, please be aware that there may well be delays accessing our car park up until 10th August, due to the on-going, essential works on the pylon.
Secondly, your sleepless nights of waiting and wondering can now end, as the results from June's Wetland Bird Survey are finally here!
P1
P2
P3
Total
Common tern
4
9
13
Moorhen
3
2
5
Tufted duck
50
18
72
Mallard
39
64
60
163
Mute swan
52
55
Lapwing
6
Coot
17
171
201
Great crested grebe
10
19
Black headed gull
29
51
85
Lesser black backed gull
Grey heron
8
Little egret
7
Bittern
1
Canada goose
22
94
116
Cormorant
Gadwall
12
Greylag goose
205
265
Pochard
Shoveler
Teal
Wigeon
Little ringed plover
Shelduck
Alfred the great reed warbler has now moved on, but there are still lots of things to look out for at Langford. Keep an eye on the big ash tree at the woodland entrance for purple hairstreak butterflies, try and spot one of the common tern chicks and see how many different types of dragonflies you can see, there were good numbers of banded demoiselles flitting around yesterday.
Excitingly for the first time since 2017 bearded tits have bred again on the reserve! The lack of breeding is potentially linked to the very high water levels we've had during every winter since then, with the high levels pushing any wintering birds off site and creating less than ideal breeding conditions as we move into the spring. The 2021/22 winter was slightly less damp and the presumption is this was more favourable for the beardies, which like the drier parts of reedbeds. No specific location where views can be guaranteed, but sightings have all come from Phase 1, so keep your eyes and ears open for them as you wander round.
Photo of juvenile bearded tit taken recently by James Wilkinson