Recent Sightings - 11th February 2019
Another under appreciated wee gem that's very visible at Castle Espie at this time of year is the Gadwall.
Another under appreciated wee gem that's very visible at Castle Espie at this time of year is the Gadwall. These ducks appear demure at first glance, although upon closer inspection, the males have delightfully delicate patterns created by their interwoven chest feathers. The large white and burgundy patches are also striking when they unfurl their wings for flight or a stretch.
They behave and forage effectively as small Mallards and so are often bullied out of the better feeding spots by them. They are also far more shy than their loud and bold cousins. Often easily seen on the far side of the Main Lake, the Shingle Bank and on the Wadermarsh.
Castle Espie has been supporting a small flock consistently this winter, with a high of nearly 50 birds at one point. Soon these birds will be dispersing in search of productive breeding sites. Fingers crossed we have a couple of pairs staying to breed this spring.
Count was taken at low-tide.
Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Curlew 2, Black-headed Gull 6, Oystercatcher 7, Shelduck 98, Brent 8, Redshank 2
Main lake – visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Teal 26, Gadwall 11, Tuft 29, Mallard 139, Moorhen 4, Coot 5, Greylag goose 1,
Shingle bank – visible from Sensory garden, Wadermarsh and Visitor Centre
Teal 10, Gadwall 7, Coot 1, Moorhen 3, Mallard 44, Pintail 1, Black-headed Gull 17, Greylag Goose 4
Wadermarsh – visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Teal 22, Gadwall 1, Moorhen 14, Oystercatcher 2, Black-headed Gull 2, Redshank 6, Black-tailed Godwit 2, Curlew 1, Greenshank 1
Freshwater Lagoon – visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 23, Tufted Duck 5, Moorhen 4,
Saline Lagoon – visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 1, Black-headed Gull 2
Limestone Lake
Moorhen 1, Tufted duck 2, Mallard 5
Peninsula Field and Saltmarsh
Black-headed Gull 1
Brickworks
Goldfinch
Woodland
Hooded Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Long-tailed tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Dunnock
