Recent Sightings - 11th May 2020
The following sightings were recorded today from the reserve at Castle Espie at Low Tide.Sedge warbler is in full song at the Round House as it struggles to call above the sound of the gulls, which are now in mid breeding cycle with most birds sitting on eggs.The terns are still around in the Saline Lagoon as are a few Gadwall which move between the lakes on the reserve.The passerines are very vocal in the woodland and summer visitors, such as the blackcap are busy nest building.The Dabchicks have now emerged from the nest and the young were recently spotted on the water in the Limestone Lake swimming before hitching a ride on the back of the parent.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Black-headed gull 20, Lesser black-backed gull 4, Shelduck 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Goldeneye 1, Greylag goose 6 (+6 goslings), Tufted duck 8, Mallard 6, Little grebe 1, Black-headed gull 140, Gadwall 1, Coot 2, Little egret 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Shelduck 2, Black-headed gull 4
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 4, Swallow 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Black-headed gull 240, Black-tailed godwit 26, Mallard 4, Moorhen 2, Greylag goose 2, Gadwall 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Black-headed gull 67, Common tern 3, Redshank 12, Gadwall 1
Brickworks
Wren 1, Linnet 2, Meadow pipit 1, Caga 4
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 2 (+ 1 chick)
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Shelduck 2, Redshank 1, Black-headed gull 1
Peninsula Field
Meadow pipit 2
Woodland
Blackbird, Sparrowhawk, Wren, Magpie, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue tit, Bullfinch, Great tit, Coal tit, Wood pigeon, Raven, Blackcap, Goldfinch, Pheasant
Other
We recorded Green-veined, and Speckled wood butterflies, as well as White ermine and Drinker moth (cheers for the ID J)
