Recent Sightings - 14th February 2021
The following sightings were taken on Sunday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a rising tide. The stormy weather continues to blow the birds around, and many unable to settle on their usual spots at high tide. Numerous birds have taken refuge at high tide in the peninsula saltmarsh and field including, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Grey Plover, Black-headed gull, Shelduck and Brent. The Brent geese have been taking full advantage of our maturing saltmarsh by feeding on grasses while the mudflats were covered during the tide. When Brent arrive from their breeding grounds they almost exclusively feed on energy rich eel grass on the mudflats, however, as the season progresses, and the eel grass becomes depleted, the birds will move to saltmarsh vegetation and even amenity grasslands, feeding on the short grasses that are available. The number of Light-bellied brent geese on the lough is low at this time of year, but they will build again as birds stopover on their return migration north.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Light-bellied brent 3, Black-headed gull 2, Redshank 61, Dunlin 794, Black-tailed godwit 6, Curlew 16, Oystercatcher 151, Shelduck 21, Grey plover 16, Teal 16, Eider 38
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 206, Scaup 1, Tufted duck 43, Goldeneye 1, Gadwall 2, Little grebe 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 2, Oystercatcher 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Redshank 11, Oystercatcher 3, Coot 1, Little egret 1, Teal 27, Curlew 1, Gadwall 9, Moorhen 3, Greenshank 3
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Coot 1, Teal 4, Moorhen 1, Greenshank 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Gadwall 2, Moorhen 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 1
Limestone Lake
Grey heron 2
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 1, Grey plover 9, Dunlin 41, Redshank 4, Shelduck 1, Oystercatcher 101, Turnstone 2
Peninsula Field
Black-headed gull 1
Woodland
Bullfinch, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Great tit, Coal tit, Goldfinch, Magpie
