It’s my first day back at Langford today after my holiday in Scotland and I have been greeted by some terrible weather! However the swallows didn’t seem at all bothered by the strong wind and heavy rain as they fed over Phase 2. There were around 100 birds in total, flying very close as I walked over the islands – it’s fantastic to see these birds so close up.

Also on Phase 2, two green sandpipers flew overhead calling, a snipe emerged from the reeds making it’s distinctive call as it flew and several little egrets were feeding around the water’s edge.

It’s amazing too how the vegetation has started to turn since I left on the 13th. In just 11 days, many trees have started to show autumn colours and lose some leaves and herbaceous and aquatic plants have stated to die off – winter is on it’s way. But never fear, as the winter months approach we have the delights of fieldfares, redwings, wigeon, teal, pintail, goldeneye and whooper swans (among others) to look forward to!