News
Recent Sightings 17-18 December 2017
The following sightings were recorded yesterday and today from the reserve at Castle Espie. Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory Brent Geese 133, Whooper Swan 2, Little Egret 1, Eider Duck 58, Pintail 12, Gadwall 2, Wigeon
18 December 2017
Today's Sightings
Tree sparrow House sparrow Moorhen Coot Bewick's swan Whooper swan Mute swan Mallard Teal Shoveler Wigeon Pochard Pintail Shelduck Black-tailed godwit Dunlin Ruff - 40 Lapwing Curlew Redshank Greylag goose Canada goose Cormorant Marsh harrier - 2 Kestrel
18 December 2017
Wildlife sightings - 18/12/17
a.m. Tide Level: Low Wader Lake (frozen) Kestrel 2 Saline Lagoon (frozen) Curlew 12 Hawthorn Wood Willow tit 1 Nuthatch 2 Jay 3 Robin 6 Dunnock 4 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Siskin 1 Bullfinch 15 Chaffinch 9 Other birds Greater black-backed gull - 6 - Rive
18 December 2017
Wildlife sightings for 18th December 2017
1 Great White Egret - main lake 'gull ridge' 1000hrs, then flew NW 3 Bittern - main lake N shore (2) and W shore (1) 1 Red Kite - circling over site, drifted SW 1 Brambling - over E 3 Siskin - world wetlands 50 Redwing - entrance lake 2 Stonechat - ma
18 December 2017
Today's sightings
Rushy Hide and Peng Observatory Two Little Stints reported, one present at 0815am + 120 Dunlin, 200+ Lapwing, 50+ Bewick's Swan (70+ now on site or in the area) and 1000+ duck including Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Shelduck and Teal. Tack Piece
17 December 2017
Sightings Sunday 17th December
Misty and chilly start to the day but has became damp this afternoon, all hides and part of the Summer walk are open. Sightings today: Bewick's swan Mute swan Whooper swan Pintail Pochard Shelduck Shoveler Teal Tufted duck Wigeon Moorhen Water rail Kingfi
17 December 2017
Latest sightings
A damp but calm start to Sunday. Seven Marsh Harrier in one binocular view this morning. More news as it comes in... Yesterday Great White Egret in the morning.
17 December 2017
Wildlife sightings for 17th December 2017
4 Bittern - main lake N shore (3) and S shore (1) 1 Mediterranean Gull juv - main lake 2 Shelduck - scrape 1 Goldeneye - main lake 83 Redwing - entrance lake(63) plus birds flying over W(20) 24 Meadow Pipit - over SW 1 Stonechat - marsh 8 Linnet - over
17 December 2017
Today's Highlights
Whooper swans Mute swans Bewick's swan Canada geese Greylag geese Shoveler Shelduck Pochard Pintail Mallard Teal Wigeon Black-tailed godwit Lapwing Curlew-7 Ruff Dunlin Redshank Snipe Cormorant Grey heron Great black-backed gull Black-headed gull Barn owl
16 December 2017
More Bewick's Swans
Rushy A nice clear night resulting in several new Bewicks on the pond this morning, at least 72 around the site including 4 wild birds among the Mute and 10 captive Bewick's on swan lake. Pochard, Tufted and Pintail gathering here in the frosty conditions
16 December 2017
Wildlife sightings for 16th December 2017
2 Hawfinch - flew over bird feeders 1 Goldeneye - main lake (Dulverton Hide) 2 Bittern - main lake 4 Pintail - main lake 2 Shelduck - main lake 16 Fieldfare - entrance lake 35 Redwing - entrance lake 2 Stonechat - grazing marsh 1 Skylark - circling main
16 December 2017
Reserve Update Saturday 16th December
Another cold and crisp start to the day! The Bewick's Swan has not been seen now since Tuesday but who knows with this cold snap it could draw more swans back onto the reserve. Whooper Swan numbers peaked for this year on Tuesday afternoon with over 2
16 December 2017
Sightings
A juv/1st winter Great-crested Grebe was new in this morning on the Mere probably moved on from somewhere with the freezing temperatures overnight. Still 2-3 Goldeneye on the Mere most days including a fine looking male. A good showing for raptors with 3
15 December 2017
Todays sightings
Mute swan Whooper swan Bewick swan Greylag Canada goose Shelduck Mallard Shoveler Gadwall Pintail Wigeon Teal Pochard Coot Moorhen Crane (x3, in flight) Grey heron Curlew (x2) Black-tailed godwit Ruff Redshank Lapwing Black-headed gull Starling Reed bunti
15 December 2017
Floods and Sunshine
The whole reserve is looking stunning again in the sunshine. Rushy Yet another increase of Bewick's Swan at least 69 overnight. Pochard, Pintail and Teal looking great and a Little Stint was with 4 Dunlin on the central island Holden Walkway What a differ
15 December 2017