Recent Sightings 10th April 2023
Between the bouts of torrential rain and hail stones, there was a lot to see at Castle Espie and out on the Estuary for this count. The tide was in, therefore bringing large numbers of Black-tailed godwits onto the Shingle Bank, along with Knot and Dunlin mixed in with them.
Out on the Lough, Great crested grebes can be seen in groups or paired off together, displaying to eachother and diving into the chilly waters for food. Great crested grebes have elaborate courtship behaviors, and you can even spot them from the Limekiln Observatory when the tide is in!
A Northern wheatear (pictured) was spotted on the Peninsular Saltmarsh at the far end of the reserve, braving the wind face on. These little passerines are summer visitors and will leave in September time to winter in Africa. It is a type of Chat, and they can often be seen running and hopping around on the ground.
And finally, the woodland was alive with birdsong and that post-rain smell. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were singing their summery songs, and all kinds of small birds were busy collecting nesting material.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Great crested grebe 17, Herring gull 1, Common gull 2, Black-headed gull 63, Goldeneye 2, Red-breasted merganser 3, Oystercatcher 19
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 12, Teal 14, Gadwall 7, Tufted duck 6, Black-headed gull 28, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Moorhen 3, Redshank 1, Cormorant 1, Goldeneye 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Black-headed gull 349, Redshank 3, Dunlin 5, Black-tailed godwit 1124, Knot 110
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Gadwall 2, Black-headed gull 64, Redshank 1, Moorhen 2, Black-tailed godwit 34
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 16, Black-headed gull 31, Shelduck 2, Moorhen 1, Gadwall 2, Teal 3, Lesser black-backed gull 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Redshank 1
Peninsular Saltmarsh
Light-bellied brent goose 1, Little egret 1, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Redshank 2, Teal 3, Curlew 1, Wheatear 1
Peninsular Field
Curlew ~20
Brickworks
Black-headed gull 2, Blackbird 1
Limestone Lake
Mallard 1
Woodland
Magpie, Long-tailed tit, Dunnock, Robin, Chaffinch, Wren, Great tit, Goldcrest, Woodpigeon, Blue tit, Blackcap, Chiffchaff
