It’s been a real mix of weather recently, with everything from blazing hot sunshine and 19C last Sunday, to gale force winds last Tuesday to heavy rain and sleet two weekends ago! However, spring must be on it’s way as we have been treated to the first of the spring migrants this week making an appearance back at Langford.
It all started last Monday when myself and volunteer Sarah Bird picked up the first singing chiffchaff of the year on the western edge of Phase 1. This morning, there are now up to 4 birds singing around the site – listen out for them on the public footpath around Cottage Lane and in the woodland.
The weekend proved productive for Site Manager, Michael Copleston and Conservation Officer, Carl Cornish as they managed top pick up a curlew, two ringed plovers and a little ringed plover on site. The two ringed plovers are still present today, making good use of the plentiful feeding opportunities on the newly landscaped Phase 1.
And the birds kept coming this morning as I made my way around the balancing pond. A stunning male wheatear popped up from the long grass and sat in front of me on a fence post. Wheatears are summer visitors to the UK, breeding in many parts of England, Scotland and Wales in open habitat such as moorland, sea cliffs and grassland and wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. Breeding birds from Canada, Alaska and Greenland are amongst the longest distance migrants of all passerines, flying from their northern breeding grounds to Africa (some via the UK), covering up to 9000 miles and undertaking non-stop oceanic crossings of up to 1500 miles. Truly amazing birds!