August 2013 Highlights
28th August 2013 Bird ringing this morning was a dead loss, but there was a dead gain, too, with the finding of a juvenile Water Shrew, the first for Longham and the 26th mammal species to be recorded on site. For interest's sake, the 26 species are: Grey Squirrel,...
Wood Sandpiper and other July Highlights
29 July 2013 Chris Parnell found a Wood Sandpiper this evening at Longham, seemingly commuting between the main island on Longham Reservoir South and the boat ramp at the east end of the causeway. Also at least 3 Common Sandpipers and 5 Lapwings. In the ne corner...
Midsummer Update
21st June: The latest Constant Effort Site ringing today revealed 18 new birds, most of which, encouragingly enough, were juveniles. Totals were 3 adult Reed Warblers (2 retraps), 2 juvenile Blackcaps, 1 adult and 2 juvenile Common Whitethroats, 1 juvenile Chiffchaff,...
Welcome Return
This morning (May 18th) a drake Garganey was on Longham Reservoir South, not far from the island. It's the first of the year, and quite overdue. Garganeys are one of the site's spring specialities. Also this morning, a Cuckoo singing, a few Sand Martins among the...
Ortolan Appears – Again! (Plus spring so far).
It seems hardly credible, but the Ortolan Bunting that turned up this morning (8th May) on the western side of Longham Reservoir South (Dominic Couzens) is actually not even a first for the site! That accolade goes to one seen on 17th April 2011. Its latest appearance...
March Update, Another First
Here's what's been happening at Longham recently: 13th March: A fall of Chiffchaffs, variously reported as a dozen (Chris Parnell) and 5 (Alan Pearce) on the corner of Samuel's Wood. Undoubtedly migrants. 12th March: Redhead Smew, diving frequently in the more...
Mid-Feb Update
Here's a quick update of what's been around in the last few weeks: 13th February: Birds seen included Meadow Pipit, Redwing, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Mediterranean Gulls, Shovelers, Pochards, Goldeneye, Smew (F) and Lapwing (Dave and Pat Harris and OWLS). 12th...
Bean Geese at Longham
Three Tundra Bean Geese have dropped into Longham Lakes this afternoon - or at least into the flooded Hampreston Fields. They can be seen from the western path down Longham Reservoir North. They are the first for the site, found by George Green. Apologies for the...
Busy End of Year
It's been a pretty eventful December for Longham Lakes. Here are the most recent highlights in reverse order. 30th December Black Swan 1, Wigeon 189, Gadwall 13, Shoveler 3, Mediterranean Gull 1 (Trevor Thorpe). 1 Cetti's Warbler along the causeway (Alan...
Longham in Dreamland
Sunday 2nd December 2012 What's happened to this local patch? Normally good but unspectacular, it has hosted White-rumped Sandpiper and Glossy Ibis today. The White-rumped Sand played to a reasonable gallery of birders for most of the day, while in the morning some...