The excitement of potentially flooding has distracted me from uploading the latest WeBS count, but with the threat seemingly now passed, here is the WeBS data as recorded by our now expanded team of expert volunteer bird surveyors:
Tufted duck
77
Mallard
26
Bittern
1
Coot
67
Teal
224
Canada goose
46
Greylag goose
42
Wigeon
157
Avocet
7
Green sandpiper
5
Water rail
32
Snipe
Oystercatcher
8
Shoveler
36
Great crested grebe
4
Little grebe
2
Mute swan
Whooper swan
Gadwall
10
Grey heron
Pochard
3
Shelduck
24
Moorhen
Lapwing
31
Cormorant
15
Goldeneye
Ringed plover
Herring gull
Common gull
160
Lesser black backed gull
Black headed gull
161
Greater black backed gull
Curlew
Redshank
Not a bad list!
Signs of spring are all over the reserve now; willow warblers, blackcaps, chiff chaffs and sedge warblers are all singing. Swallows have been noted and sand martins are being seen on a daily basis. Avocets have been mating, the bittern is booming regularly and cowslips and colts foot flowers are adding a splash of colour. Kittiwakes, little gulls and Mediterranean gulls have all been seen recently, proving that it's that time of year when things are on the move and you never know what might turn up at Langford.
Flying wigeon photo taken by Stuart Carlton