News
Recent Sightings 11th July 2022
The sunny weather recently has bought lots of visitors to Castle Espie, with the sky filled with the shapes of Swallows, House martins, Skylarks and Terns. Most of the Greylag goslings are fully grown now and are hard to distinguish from their parents, an
13 July 2022
Recent Sightings 4th July 2022
The Woodland was dominated by the unmistakable and powerful calls of two Buzzards this morning. These large birds of prey feed on small birds, mammals and carrion – occasionally insects. They were a species in decline due to poisoning and persecution bu
4 July 2022
Recent Sightings 27th June 2022
We’ve had a few new visitors to Castle Espie this week, along with our usual ducklings, chicks and goslings which are getting bigger by the day! A Gannet was spotted just off the pier which is easily seen from the Limekiln Observatory and from the Brent
28 June 2022
Recent Sightings 20th June 2022
At low tide today, Castle Espie was alive with action in the sky and on the water. The Kingfisher was busy fishing on the Main Lake and on the Saline Lagoon, flashing bright in the hot summer sunshine we experienced today. There were also aerial displays
20 June 2022
Recent Sightings 13th June 2022
For the past few days, Freshwater Lagoon has had a male Shoveler duck (pictured) on its waters. They have a vibrant green/iridescent head (during breeding season) and their very distinctive ‘shovel-shaped’ bill. This strange shape assists them in sift
13 June 2022
Recent Sightings 6th June 2022
Some new ducklings to spot on the reserve this week – Gadwall! Gadwall (pictured) are a little smaller than Mallards, and sport a distinctive white patch on the wing. They nest in wetland habitats with abundant vegetation, so our Freshwater lagoon is th
6 June 2022
Recent Sightings 30th May 2022
A pair of Shelduck (pictured) are an easy spot on the Main Lake and a pleasant welcome as you enter Castle Espie from the Visitors Centre. They’ve now recently been joined by their newest arrivals – Shelducklings! The youngsters look strikingly like t
30 May 2022
Recent Sightings 23rd May 2022
Between the rain and shine today there was a lot to be seen at the reserve on a receding tide this morning. From an unusual appearance by a non-native Black swan on the Main Lake, to the huge variety of chicks, ducklings and goslings wandering around the
23 May 2022
Recent Sightings 16th May 2022
The rising tide this morning bought Oystercatcher into the reserve to roost on the Shingle Bank. When the tide comes in, wading birds lose the mudflats on which they feed, so they move off the Estuary and seek refuge in areas like Castle Espie. Small floc
16 May 2022
Recent Sightings 9th May 2022
The grey weather made for a quiet morning at Castle Espie, but there is always something to see. The wind and rain did not manage to deter some of the reserves newest, and dare I say cutest, arrivals – Greylag goslings (pictured). The family of 10, incl
9 May 2022
Recent Sightings 2nd May 2022
A quiet morning on the reserve this bank holiday Monday, with lots of birds settling into pairs. The Mute swans, Greylag geese and Shelduck can often be seen on the Main Lake, Shingle Bank, Wadermarsh and reserve pathways coupled up and calling to one ano
2 May 2022
Recent Sightings 25th April 2022
The sightings this week were taken on a receding tide, so the Shingle bank was mainly left to the Black-headed gulls, most of which have paired off now and are busy building nests. They can often be seen flying around with reeds, sticks, seaweed and other
25 April 2022
Recent Sightings 18th April 2022
With Black-headed gull numbers still high, and nests beginning to appear all around the reserve – Castle Espie is full of life! These sightings were taken at low tide on a clear morning. Black-tailed godwit and Knot are still making use of the Shingle b
20 April 2022
Recent Sightings 4th April 2022
It’s been nice to have some different visitors to Castle Espie recently. There’s been a Goldeneye on the Main Lake for the last couple of days, easily spotted from the Collection area or even the Kingfisher café with a pair of binoculars. They are di
5 April 2022
Recent Sightings 28th March 2022
The growing numbers of Black-headed gulls throughout most of Castle Espie reserve has not deterred other visitors from coming for us to spot! The sightings below were taken on a rising tide on Monday. A male Pintail was on the Main lake showing off its el
28 March 2022