Recent Sightings 16th January 2023

16 January 2023

The frosty, windy morning didn’t bother the birds as much as it did us! Despite the chilly weather, there was lots to see on our lakes and ponds, as well as out on the exposed estuary. There were good numbers of Curlew feeding down the streams running out of our sluices, and the Light-bellied brent geese were filling the air with their gentle calls to one another.

A less usual visitor to our Saline Lagoon was a Whooper swan (pictured), gracefully swimming the perimeter and resting on the island with two Mute swans. Whooper swans are a slightly smaller size than Mute swans, but larger than the similar looking Bewick’s swan. Whoopers spend their winters here, and can often be spotted in fields feeding on leftover crops.

Two Sparrowhawks were seen displaying over the woodland, calling to eachother and showing off with aerial aerobatics. They were a picture-perfect sight, lit up beautifully by the cold winter sunshine.

Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory

Shelduck 170, Curlew 12, Light-bellied brent goose 207, Oystercatcher 68, Black-headed gull 4, Greater black-backed gull 1, Hooded crow 3, Greenshank 4, Herring gull 3, Redshank 14, Little egret 4, Eider 36, Great crested grebe 8, Knot 1

Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Mallard 97, Mute swan 1, Teal 8, Gadwall 30, Tufted duck 6

Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Mallard 40, Gadwall 12, Teal 90, Moorhen 3

Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide

Black-tailed godwit 1, Moorhen 7, Teal 7, Redshank 5, Greenshank 1

Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg

Teal 12, Mallard 6, Moorhen 3

Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory

Mute swan 2, Oystercatcher 3, Little grebe 8, Black-headed gull 1, Redshank 3, Greenshank 1, Whooper swan 1

Brickworks

Mistle thrush, Blackbird, Jackdaw