Langford Lakes was where we had intended to go on Coronation Day – but it rained! Since then it has either rained, the café has been closed or one of has not been available. So we eventually found a free day when the weather looked good and managed to get there!
We started with coffee and a bit of flapjack in the café. Rather slow service, but very good when it came. We then headed for the lakes along the obvious path – having failed to pick up a map.
As we continued to walk down the path we came to a hide, so went in. It is not really the time of year for most birds but we saw mute swans and Canada geese and a couple of coots. Walking on we saw another hide looking at the other lake but as there were several (noisy) people around we moved on to another hide.
At the end of the main path we took a path round the Long Pond passing a conservation area where there was also a view of the surrounding country. We came across three men who seemed to be building a hide, but on enquiry it seemed they were taking it down – carefully – so it could be put elsewhere. In its place a new hide was to be built with areas at the side for sand martin nests. They told us that these are holes made of concrete for the martins to build nests in. Sounds as if it will be worth a visit next spring.
On our way back to the café we found and went into a final hide. In total we saw the mute swans and lots of Canada geese, several dragonflies, quite a lot of butterflies, the coots and some other birds that might – or might not – have been Garganey. There were a few that we couldn’t see clearly enough to begin to identify.
We had lunch at the café – with even slower service than for coffee! The portions were also enormous, so neither of us could finish them. It was then time to go home.
So? A good morning. We hope to go again and see more of the lakes and maybe more birds – if we choose a better time of year. Not school holidays for one thing!