Recent Sightings 23rd July 2024

A beautiful, sunny day on the Reserve today revealed that we have Common tern chicks on the raft at Saline Lagoon! Common terns (pictured), also known as sea-swallows, are summer visitors to our shores but are also commonly found inland. These graceful birds will hover above the water and then plunge down to catch small fish. See if you can spot the small, spotty chicks next time you’re out on the Reserve!

Juvenile Sparrowhawks are loudly calling to each other throughout the Woodland canopy, and Grey heron youngsters are also making loud shrieking noises high up in the trees. With young birds having fledged and still communicating with the adults, the Woodland is a cacophony of sound at the moment.

The Brickworks is bursting with life. As different species of wildflowers constantly reveal themselves, 6-spot burnet moths and all sorts of colourful butterflies populate the meadow area along with Swallows and Goldfinches.

Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory

Black-headed gull 54, Common gull 26, Lesser black-backed gull 5, Oystercatcher 2, Hooded crow 1, Common tern 1

Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Mute swan 2, Tufted duck 3, Coot 5, Moorhen 10, Little grebe 2, Mallard 163, Lesser black0backed gull 1, Teal 3, Black-headed gull 5, Wood pigeon, Wren, Robin, House martin, Swallow, Blackbird

Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Common gull 12, Mallard 4, Gadwall 2, Black-headed gull 16, Little egret 10, Grey heron 1, Shelduck 2 (6 juveniles), Moorhen 3, Jackdaw 2, Oystercatcher 12, Cormorant 1, Wren

Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide

Black-headed gull 1, Moorhen 1

Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg

Gadwall 5, Mallard 2, Swallow, Blackbird, Wood pigeon

Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory

Kingfisher 1, Little grebe 2, Cormorant 1, Common tern 9 (3 chicks)

Peninsula Field

Swallow

Brickworks

Jackdaw 2, Goldfinch 2, Swallow, Blackbird

Limestone Lake

Buzzard 1, Swallow

Woodland

Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Grey heron, Sparrowhawk

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