Recent Sightings 11th March 2024
The tide was almost fully in for this morning’s count, meaning there was an amazing variety of waders out on the Estuary, and The Brent Hide is the perfect place to view them from as the water creeps up to the seawall. A large flock of Bar-tailed godwit were out on the mudflats, feeding alongside their similar counterparts – the Black-tailed godwit (pictured). Bar-tails look incredibly similar to Black-tails, with a few distinctions. Bar-tailed godwits have a slightly upturned beak, which is also slightly shorter than the Black-tail. In flight, Black-tails have a white rump and a solid black tail, whereas Bar-tails have a barred tail. Their legs are also slightly shorter.
The Main Lake hosted some of our favourite smaller birds, including Long-tailed tits, Coal tits, Wrens and House Sparrow. Some Shelduck were also dotted around the reserve, feeding on the Wadermarsh and sheltering in the Peninsula Saltmarsh. Early signs of spring came in the form of a displaying Meadow pipit. In winter, these little passerines form large flocks, but in springtime their impressive and distinctive breeding displays are a sight to see!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Light-bellied brent goose 60, Redshank 12, Little egret 2, Black-headed gull 30, Common gull 2, Black-tailed godwit 12, Oystercatcher 197, Spotted redshank 1, Greenshank 5, Shelduck 1, Knot 26, Bar-tailed godwit 98, Dunlin 6, Great-crested grebe 3, Mallard 1, Cormorant 6, Eider 18
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Little grebe 1, Teal 12, Tufted duck 1, Mallard 8, Moorhen 3, Coot 2, Little egret 1, Raven 2, Hooded crow 1, Wood pigeon, Robin, Blackbird, House sparrow, Wren, Long-tailed tit, Great tit, Blue tit, Coal tit, Mistle thrush
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Gadwall 2, Teal 12, Cormorant 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Teal 22, Gadwall 10, Shelduck 2, Oystercatcher 1, Black-tailed godwit 4, Redshank 1, Greenshank 1, Grey heron 1, Moorhen 7, Jackdaw 6, Hooded crow 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 2, Moorhen 6, Tufted duck 2, Coot 1, Teal 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Redshank 2, Teal 2, Moorhen 2, Blackbird, Robin
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Shelduck 2, Hooded crow 3, Mallard 2, Teal 5, Meadow pipit
Brickworks
Jackdaw 4, Mallard 2, Blackbird
Limestone Lake
Wood pigeon, Blackbird
Woodland
Goldcrest, Wood pigeon, Great tit, Blue tit, Magpie, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Dunnock
