There's been a steady increase in the number of birds on site and in particular, those that one might associate with winter time.
Flocks of winter thrushes, namely fieldfares and redwings can be seen and heard overhead throughout the day and our starling roost is starting to grow, with Michael having seen around 2000 yesterday. This flock may well have attracted the sparrowhawk that we saw this afternoon.
Wildfowl numbers are swelling, with more teal and mallard on site, interspersed with the odd pintail, shoveler or pochard. Carl Cornish found a male stonechat by the Balancing Ponds last week and it was relocated in Phase 2 by our volunteers during last Sunday's work party.
Flocks of lapwings and black-headed gulls have been seen around Silt Lagoon 5, where there has been a very vocal Cetti's warbler over the last couple of weeks. Nearby, a water rail has also been in good voice.
We've had two star birds on site this week though. The first is a tree sparrow (or possibly two), that flew over me and Jenny yesterday and landed in the hedge behind the viewing screen. We've not seen one of these on site since last winter.
The other was a short-eared owl. This was flushed out by one of our contractors who is currently working on the re-profiling project. Short-eared owl is usually a regular winter visitor to Langford. However, none were seen last year (presumably due to the snow), so hopefully, this one may hang around long enough for me to see!