Recent Sightings - 12th October 2020
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie at high tide. This time of year provides an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Kingfisher on the reserve. During the breeding season they are hard to spot and remain elusive, but approaching the winter they become more visible and can be seen flying between the various waterbodies or fishing from a perch. They are unmistakable due to their bright iridescent blue and orange often seen flying low and fast over water. They will hunt small fish and invertebrates from lake side perches. They like to use the edges of sluices and overhanging branches and the various perches we have installed to dive into the water and catch a fish. Although there are a number of kingfisher species across the globe including the Kookaburra in Australia, our bird is the only one that breeds in Europe. It has an amber conservation status and is vulnerable to pollution and changes in watercourses.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent goose 740, Oystercatcher 100, Greenshank 2, Mallard 2, Shelduck 11, Common gull 1, Eider 40, Wigeon 43, Teal 1, Greylag 97, Black-headed gull 12,
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 50, Tufted 8, Moorhen 2 Coot 2, Pintail 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 36, Pied wagtail 2, Grey heron 1, Greylag goose 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 8, Teal 6, Black-headed gull 2, Little egret 1, Curlew 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 4, Moorhen 3, Grey heron 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 4, Little egret 1, Cormorant 1, Kingfisher 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 5
Limestone Lake
Moorhen 1, Mallard 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 1
Peninsula Field
Jackdaw 17
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Buzzard 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Collared dove, Magpie, Goldfinch, Great tit
