Woodpecker Double
Wednesday May 16th Ringing at Longham this morning was enlivened by an unusual double woodpecker catch. Both these individuals were caught at separate ends of the same net, at exactly the same time. They were both males with brood patches, proving that both are...
The Voice comes to Longham
Saturday 12th May A first for Longham turned up today in the form of a Nightingale, heard by Derek and Kay Ball on the west side of the site just south of the Causeway between the lakes. It sang for a brief period around 11.50. Also Sedge Warbler, lots of Reed...
Good birds in poor weather
Wednesday 9th May A couple of good species around today. Although the wagtail had evidently gone overnight, there were 2 Sandwich Terns at Longham Bridge this morning, then 1 later in the afternoon (Chris Parnell). This species is very rare here, but in several years...
Good Stuff Keeps Coming
Tuesday 8th May Good birds keep turning up at Longham this spring. At around 11.00, this Yellow Wagtail type - possibly Spanish was seen, along with a couple of Shelduck and a decent passage of Swifts (Alan Pearce). Then, at lunchtime appropriately enough, a Sandwich...
Amazing Fall of Swallows
Thursday May 3rd Took a stroll around Longham Reservoir North this morning hoping to catch up with the Turnstones, but sadly they had gone. On the island the 2 Ruffs remained, with the Black-tailed Godwits, now 2 Dunlins and, new in, 4 Common Sandpipers. 2 Shelducks...
Migrants stream through
2nd May 2012 A superb day at Longham Lakes today, one of the most interesting we've ever had in the spring. Birders have been given a gift by Sembcorp, in that the water level at both reservoirs has been lowered, and there is mud available on the banks and islands,...
Spring Waders and More
Friday April 20th All-round, a pretty interesting day at Longham Lakes. Chris Parnell had 7 Common Sandpipers, the first of the year, as well as Reed Warbler singing, also making this species's first appearance. Trevor Thorpe had a hat-trick of waders: 8 Common...
White Hot for Wagtails
Wednesday 18th April It was cold, wet and blustery today, but remarkable for the number of White Wagtails seen - easily a record for the site. In the morning Chris Parnell unearthed 11 (males) on the big ploughed field on the north-west corner of the site, north of...
Late News and Not Much News
Friday April 13th The most interesting news from today actually concerns earlier in the week. A Water Pipit was reported to the Dorset Bird Club as being at Longham on Tuesday 10th April. Presumably this is the same bird reported in late March. I could not find it...
Ducks Dawdle
Wednesday April 11th A quiet day at Longham today, but there was a welcome appearance by a pair of Shelducks. This species is mainly a spring visitor these days. Also present, obvious pairs of Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal. Passerine migrants very thin on the ground, or...