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Joe Harris (RSPB Langford Lowfields Site Manager)

Whilst the reserve is now almost back to normal (albeit slightly battered looking) after the winter flooding, the WeBS count was definitely not normal, with a Purple Heron that had been tracked as it flew along the River Trent deciding to drop into Langford. Only the 3rd record for the reserve and the first one that stuck around long enough for a number of people to see it. Photo below was taken by James Wilkinson.

P1

P2

P3

Total

Black headed Gull

10

7

6

23

Canada Goose

15

3

8

26

Common Tern

4

4

8

Coot

5

4

1

10

Cormorant

5

2

7

Gadwall

2

1

3

Great crested Grebe

4

3

10

17

Grey Heron

3

1

2

6

Mallard

11

5

9

25

Mute Swan

27

10

5

42

Pochard

5

5

Tufted Duck

13

2

13

28

Black Swan

1

1

Cattle Egret

3

3

Greylag Goose

18

7

25

Little Grebe

1

1

Water Rail

1

1

Purple Heron

1

1

Bittern

2

2

Great White Egret

2

2

Shelduck

2

2

Little Egret

2

2

Oystercatcher

1

1

Sanderling

1

1

Ringed Plover

1

1

Common Sandpiper

2

2

The Floating Bridge, Boardwalk and Pond Dipping Platform are still closed whilst repairs are carried out, but the full Visitor Trail loop around Phase 1 is open. Alongside the Purple Heron, recent sightings have included a Painted Lady butterfly, Barn Owl, Marsh Harrier, Red-crested Pochard, Cuckoo, Bittern, Grey Plover, Hobby, Greenshank and up to 5 Great White Egrets. A new tern raft was launched last week and straight away a pair of common terns took up residence, with more terns still passing through, hopefully other pairs will be tempted to join them on the raft. Photos below by David Terry and Ian Hicks.