News
Changing Waders
Fresher condition and the odd shower from the weekend starting to produce more waders today. Lapwing numbers are over 500 although two Peregrine hunting flushed some off the reserve this afternoon. They'll be back (Lapwings and the Peregrines!) At least 2
25 July 2016
Solar Day at Castle Espie
Have an ‘Astronomical’ Day Out at Castle Espie Calling all astronomers, adventurers and more! Get ready for an astronomical day out at Castle Espie’s Solar Day on Sunday, 7 August. Join the Irish Astronomical Association and Emerald Garrison Star W
25 July 2016
Reserve Update Monday 25th July
The osprey chicks are proving to be a very entertaining spectacle on the big screen for visitors to the coffee shop on the reserve. They are getting more experienced with their flying and have started to feed themselves on the plentiful fish stocks tha
25 July 2016
News for 24 and 25 July
Late news for yesterday- The Land rover safaris were productive with Marsh Harrier seen on both the 11-1pm and 2-4pm outings. We noted 9 Grass Snakes and although elusive an Otter was fishing and causing a panic among the moulting ducks. Common Kestrel- i
25 July 2016
Improving habitat for wetland birds
Before the coir matting was implemented Habitat improvements at WWT Washington Wetland Centre, which will help protect wildlife nesting areas and tackle wetland erosion, have been given a funding boost by support of p
25 July 2016
Wildlife sightings for 25th July 2016
1 Pochard brood - main lake 3 Gadwall broods - main lake, resr lagoon 11 Teal - scrape, resr lagoon 8 Swallow - feeding over resr lagoon a.m. 2 Kingfisher - sheltered lagoon, south route July bird highlights: Little Egret, Shelduck, Garganey, Whim
25 July 2016
Wildlife sightings for 24th July 2016
2 Garganey - eclipse pair on main lake, island 4 1 Peregrine - landed on main lake 1 Hobby - over the scrape 1 Kingfisher - sheltered lagoon July bird highlights: Little Egret, Shelduck, Garganey, Whimbrel, Hobby, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Gre
24 July 2016
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake Time/AM Tide/High Avocet - 15 Curlew - 1 Oystercatcher - 4 Common Sandpiper - 2 Little Ringed Plover - 4 Black-headed Gull - 70 Common Tern - 200+ Shoveler - 1 + 3 ducklings Grey Heron - 3 Redshank - 15 Barn Swallow - 7 S
24 July 2016
Hobby
A good raptor day with 5 species recorded. Hobby hawking for insects high to the right of the Ron Barker Hide. An immature male Marsh Harrier was mobbed by 3 Raven, at least 3 Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk today. Barn Owl roosting in the barn op
23 July 2016
Wildlife sightings for 23rd July 2016
1 Black-Tailed Godwit - feeding on the wader scrape 1 Peregrine - perched on hospital ledge 4 Common Tern - main lake 2 Kingfisher - wader scrape July bird highlights: Little Egret, Shelduck, Whimbrel, Hobby, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Green S
23 July 2016
Reserve Update Saturday 23rd July
Both osprey chicks have now taken their maiden flights, they will need a bit more practice before they attempt their long journey south! It will be interesting to see where they end up this winter. A little egret was spotted back at Folly Pond first thi
23 July 2016
Green Sandpipers
A brief summary. Green Sandpipers (2) still showing well from the Hale Hide. Plenty of waders to be seen tucked away across the reserve although without a telescope some of the viewing will be limited. Marsh Harrier was the pick of the raptors, hunting on
22 July 2016
Weekly sightings 22nd July
After some really warm weather the insects have made a noticeable appearance. Star of the show is probably the amount of Red admirals. Other butterflies currently on the wing include Brimstone, Meadow brown, Gatekeeper and Ringlet. Brown hawkers have jo
22 July 2016
Tribute to waterbird research pioneer
A tribute to Hugh Boyd who has sadly passed away, aged 91. Our thoughts are with his family. With the recent death of Hugh Boyd, the world of wildfowl and wetland conservation has lost one of its true pioneers and a mentor to a generation of waterbird res
22 July 2016
Wildlife sightings - 22/07/16
a.m. Tide level: Low Wader Lake Avocet 17 Lapwing 8 Common tern 200+ Common sandpiper 1 Little ringed plover 4 Shoveler 4 Black headed gull 45 Saline Lagoon Black headed gull 20 Lapwing 17 Common Sandpiper 1 Hawthorn Wood Chaffinch 8 Greenfinch 6 Blue tit
22 July 2016