Recent Sightings - 22nd June 2020
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie during low tide. The Tern chicks are now visible on the Saline lagoon with a few hatched while others are still sitting on eggs. The fledged Black-headed gulls are now active and small groups can be seen feeding on the estuary and loafing around the Freshwater lagoon. The Dabchick on the Limestone lake is currently sitting on the nest again, after a successful first brood. The rough weather lately has kept many of the birds sheltering and hidden from view, but there are families of Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard and Tufted duck all active on the Freshwater lagoon presently.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Black-headed gull 13, Rook 29, Black-tailed godwit 1, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Little egret 1, Grey heron 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Tufted duck 9, Mallard 18, Gadwall 1, Little grebe 1, Black-headed gull 45, Coot 2, Greylag goose 19
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Black-headed gull 6, Mallard 16
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 18, Coot 4
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Black-headed gull 82, Swallow 2, Mallard 3, Gadwall 3, Moorhen 2, Tufted duck 4, Shelduck 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Black-headed gull 79, Common tern 14, Tufted duck 3, Little grebe 1, Moorhen 1, Mallard 1
Brickworks
Wren 1, Sedge warbler 1, Blackbird 1
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1, Mallard 3, Tufted duck 2
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Common tern 1, Mallard 2
Peninsula Field
Meadow pipit 1
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue tit, Bullfinch, Great tit, Wood pigeon, Coal tit, Chiffchaff
Other
Blue tail and Common blue damselflies are amongst the odonatan currently active on the reserve.
