Recent Sightings 20th February 2023

20 February 2023

Spring is definitely on the way - Snowdrops are blooming and temperatures are starting to rise. There are lots of Newts in the ponds in front of reception and the Greylag geese are starting to come in to the reserve, a sign of goslings to come!

A Cormorant was spotted on the Shingle Bank sporting a grey head and white patches on the thighs. This is an adult in breeding plumage, looking slightly different to its usual all black attire. This change in appearance was expertly displayed as it stood on the bank drying with its wings extended. Cormorant feathers are not waterproof, so you will often see them in this stance, drying off in the sun.

Turnstone (pictured) were seen out on the Estuary this morning as the tide crept in. They are small sandpipers and get their name from their habit of characteristically flipping over stones in search for prey. These pretty little waders do not breed here, so most will be leaving for the breeding season, but some resident birds will stay throughout the summer months.

Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory

Lesser-black backed 2, Red-breasted merganser 2, Shelduck 92, Eider 25, Redshank 3, Light-bellied brent goose 82, Curlew 16, Turnstone 8, Oystercatcher 265, Grey plover 20, Dunlin ~100

Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Mallard 52, Tufted duck 13, Teal 4, Cormorant 1, Mute swan 2, Little egret 3, Moorhen 1, Gadwall 14, Hooded crow 1

Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Teal 61, Gadwall 2, Cormorant 3, Moorhen 4, Mallard 27

Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide

Black-tailed godwit 1, Oystercatcher 1, Little egret 1, Widgeon 1, Redshank 2, Greenshank 3

Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg

Mallard 2, Teal 3, Redshank 1, Lapwing (flying) 30

Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory

Little grebe 2, Redshank 2

Peninsular Saltmarsh

Redshank 3, Black-headed gull 1