Some nice sightings this week here at Langford, with highlights including –
A whooper swan on Phase 3,
Merlin on Phase 1 - seen by Warden, Paul,
1 lesser redpoll over the visitors car park – my first of the winter on site,
2 pintail on Phase 2,
40 pink-footed geese overhead – also my first over Langford this winter,
A small inch long drinker moth caterpillar around the silt lagoons yesterday was a nice record – this larva should overwinter on the ground, before pupating in May-June next year.
Regular sightings of roe deer throughout the site – a male and a small group of females are around and have been seen on Phase 1, 2 and 3.
The starling murmuration continues on a daily basis, however with much reduced numbers compared with the last few years. A maximum of 600 birds tonight is nothing compared to the peak of 40,000 last winter! The birds seem to be roosting at the far northern end of the site and can be seen from either the viewing screen or the public footpath further north for a closer view.
They are dropping into the reeds between 16.00 – 16.30, so make sure you get there by about 15.45 – 16.00 to get the best of the action. We do hope that as the winter progresses numbers will build up, so watch this space….