Recent Sightings - 22nd February 2021
The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a high tide. The lengthening days and occasional sunshine have spurred the birds into spring mode and many are singing, establishing territories and seeking mates. Teal and Gadwall on the Wadermarsh are displaying, while the passerines in the woodland are in full song especially in the Swamp area which provides almost a natural amphitheatre of sounds as the birds sings from the surrounding trees. The Sparrowhawk has been very visible lately, patrolling the woodland and Swamp in particular. These birds are built for pursuing songbirds due to their small size (although the female is noticeably bigger than the male), blunt wings and long tail. They can navigate the narrowest of gaps as they ambush and chase their prey within woods and along hedgerows. These raptors have seized on the fact that many small birds visit bird feeders in gardens and use this as an opportunity for an easy meal. Although mainly associated with garden and woodland birds the Hawks at Castle Espie are known to hunt waders like redshank when the opportunity arises.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Redshank 66, Black-tailed godwit 89, Curlew 15, Oystercatcher 197, Shelduck 59, Light-bellied brent 67, Black-headed gull 8, Dunlin 259, Knot 43, Herring gull 1, Greenshank 5, Little egret 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 48, Coot 1, Tufted duck 12, Gadwall 8, Little grebe 1, Moorhen 3, Teal 10, Black-headed gull 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 4, Oystercatcher 1, Teal 3, Black-headed gull 42, Lesser black-backed gull 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Redshank 8, Oystercatcher 1, Coot 1, Black-headed gull 2, Teal 5, Curlew 1, Moorhen 7, Greenshank 1, Lapwing 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Coot 4, Teal 2, Moorhen 6, Mallard 7
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Redshank 1, Moorhen 4
Brickworks
Jackdaw 1
Limestone Lake
Mallard 4, Little grebe 1, Moorhen 4
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 2
Peninsula Field
Jackdaw 1
Woodland
Songthrush, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Great tit, Coal tit, Goldfinch, Long-tailed tit, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk
