Welcome back ....... We've missed you!

As a volunteer at Langford Lowfields one of my jobs is to record all the wonderful wildlife which is seen on the reserve. In the coming weeks I’ll be keeping you up to date with all the action, so watch this space.

First of all a big HOORAY as Langford Lowfields reserve is open for visitors. After a winter of discontent, with major flooding, our wonderful sluice has managed to get most of the excess water back into the Trent, where it belongs. The footpaths are starting to dry out and our hardworking volunteers have repaired the fences and moved mountains of rubbish which the floods brought in.

If you live nearby you can get now your exercise and breathe in the open space to help you maintain your sanity. And now two households can get together, or a maximum of six people from any number of households. Please watch out for the one-way system on the floating bridge and boardwalk as it is impossible to pass and keep 2m apart and keep your feet dry!

And it’s not just our lovely visitors who are returning. Our summer migrants are also flooding back. They have spotted that the spring equinox has just passed and we now have more light than dark so they are making the best of the daylight and starting to think about breeding.

Sand Martins and Swallows are back from their winter holiday abroad, sweeping over the water looking for the first of the emerging insects. Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers are singing their distinctive songs and they are my favourite reminders that spring is now officially here. Avocets, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover and Oystercatchers are back and their nesting islands are re-emerging as the water goes down to normal levels. The Bitterns are booming their heads off so they clearly like what they see. And we have seen our first Brimstone butterfly which is always a great lifter of spirits.

Other sightings include a Kittiwake on its way somewhere, Wheatear, Curlew, Black tailed Godwit, Smew, Little Bunting and all the other animals which make Langford their home.

There are also some breath-taking sights as our winter visitors start thinking about going home. Large numbers of Whooper Swans have been dropping in for a rest on their long journey north.   Over 100 Whoopers landed on the reserve recently, with many more flying over. What a sight!

If you visit Langford please remember to leave your dog at home. Dogs are welcome on the public footpath which goes round the outside of the reserve but not on the reserve itself. Dogs love to chase anything which moves and this creates a lot of disturbance.

So watch this space as Langford reopens for another year and enjoy the wildlife which makes Langford its home.