It’s been a busy two weeks here at Langford, with our monthly volunteer Sunday work party held on the 7th and a visit by the RSPB Council on the following Sunday, the 13th.
Volunteer Sunday saw our highest attendance ever, with 19 people arriving for a morning’s work in the polytunnel and the annual bird race in the afternoon. The group soon got to work weeding out the reed trays, an important job that gives the growing reed seedlings the best chance possible of becoming strong, healthy plants. More work was carried out on the beach hut renovations, with an additional coat of paint making it look extra smart.
In the afternoon, the group split into three for the annual Langford bird race. We set off with the aim of recording as many species as possible in the two hour period and with the prize of Co-op Finest biscuits at stake, everyone was keen to spot as much as possible! In the end, the winning team spotted 57 species, with highlights from the day including wheatear, yellow wagtail, hobby and kingfisher. A big thanks to everyone who attended a very successful and enjoyable day.
On the 13th the reserve was host to the RSPB Council, RSPB senior staff and our Tarmac colleagues for a morning’s visit followed by lunch in Collingham. The group arrived ready for a guided walk around the site, led by Site Manager, Michael Copleston and Regional Reserves Manager, Neil Lambert. And after six weeks of rain, the weather was on our side as the group set off in glorious sunshine! The walk took in much of the reserve including the woodland, silt lagoons, the new landscaping on Phase 1 and silt lagoon 7 and Phase 2. Around the route the group were given a demonstration of the recent engineering works by Michael, using a tray of sand and reed seedlings, which brought to life the process of creating new habitat at Langford, an informative and entertaining talk by our colleagues at Tarmac and an impressive species list comprising 600 birds, mammals, plants and invertebrates recorded on site kept everyone busy at refreshment time.
And the birds didn’t disappoint either, with good sightings of little ringed plover, close up views of wheatear and yellow wagtail, a beautiful hobby hunting over Phase 1 and swirling sand martins around the new bank on Phase 2.