Recent Sightings 19th August 2024

The following sightings were taken today 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

Herring gull 1, Oystercatcher 81, Hooded crow 2, Black-headed gull 44, Curlew 10, Lesser black-backed gull 3, Little egret 6, Black-tailed godwit 16, Greater black-backed gull 1, Common gull ~40

Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Mallard 139, Tufted duck 5, Teal 2, Moorhen 5, Gadwall 2, Coot 6, Little egret 25, Little grebe 3, Common gull 2, Heron 1, Robin, Wren, Coal tit, Woodpigeon, House martin, Swallow

Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Mallard 73, Oystercatcher 1, Common tern 1, Greylag 13, Mute swan 2, Moorhen 6, Little egret 2

Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide

Greylag 31, Black-headed gull 1, Teal 10, Moorhen 3, Mallard 2, Oystercatcher 1, Redshank 43

Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg

Moorhen 6, Mallard 4, Swallow 1.2, Sedge warbler 1, Jackdaw 1, Woodpigeon

Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory

Common tern 5.6, Little grebe 3, Mallard 1, Little egret 1

Brickworks

Chiffchaff 1, Goldfinch ~40, Cormorant 4

Limestone Lake

Little grebe 1, Kingfisher 1, Woodpigeon

Peninsula Saltmarsh

Lesser black-backed gull 1

Peninsula Field

NA

Woodland

Wren, Robin, Goldcrest, Wood pigeon

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