Unfortunately we are still closed due to on-going flooding... The reserve has been closed for almost 3 months now! With water levels never dropping low enough during that period to allow us to re-open. We're slowly getting back to a state that we would consider 'normal' for this time of year, but the threat of more flooding between now and the end of the winter is ever-present and with deep water still on the Visitor Trail we've not yet been able to carry out a full post-flood audit or clean-up. Things are in motion however: Our work compound area has been cleared of detritus and debris, our storage containers have been de-watered and large quantities of vegetation dumped on the southern boundary footpath have been cleared meaning the whole perimeter footpath can now be walked (bearing in mind there may still be some debris around Phase 3 and a fence is down, but passable, on the eastern boundary of Phase 1).
Water levels have dropped by about 3 metres since the flood peak and wildfowl numbers are coming back up again. Numbers seem to drop off when the whole site is flooded, but where ever the feathered beasties go during the very wet times... they have now made the wise decision of coming back to Langford again. Here are the January WeBS count numbers from Sunday 14th:
P1
P2
P3
Total
Gadwall
4
22
9
35
Little egret
1
5
6
Mallard
10
86
92
188
Pochard
8
7
16
Shoveller
2
24
26
Tufted duck
58
94
102
254
Wigeon
287
294
Canada goose
19
85
104
Greylag goose
11
17
Coot
15
Cormorant
40
Goldeneye
3
25
Great white egret
Mute swan
Teal
38
410
448
Black-headed gull
20
Egyptian goose
Golden plover
Grey heron
Lapwing
29
Pintail
Additionally, today 6 goosander have been reported from Phase 3 and 31 dunlin from the Main Lake.
Some photos taken at the peak of the flooding, starting with a before and after shot from the Beach Hut and finishing with a photo of the bridge coming out of the woodland: