Recent Sightings 23rd Nov 2021
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a rising tide. The WeBS counts have resumed this year, with the 2nd count on Sunday past. The wintering birds are returning in numbers to the Lough including good numbers of Shelduck, Wigeon, and Teal. The familiar sound of the Greenshank can be heard along the estuary and in the reserve again. Look out for this wader on the Saline Lagoon feeding along the edges of the water, as well as, on the outflow from the Freshwater lagoon, best viewed from the Brent Discovery Hide. Little egret are more visible than ever currently, with numbers in and around the reserve growing currently. They can be seen most often feeding on the Wadermarsh and Saline lagoons and they will gather in small numbers on the edge of the estuary and on the pier.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Mute swan 5, Wigeon 77, Black-headed gull 78, Little egret 17, Curlew 64, Brent 82, Oystercatcher 123, Knot 40, Eider 142, Shelduck 430, Dunlin 29, Grey plover 34, Herring gull 1, Common gull 1, Cormorant 1, Greenshank 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 98, Tufted duck 7, Gadwall 4, Moorhen 1, Mute swan 3, Little grebe 1, Teal 29, Black-headed gull 28
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Greylag goose 80, Teal 63, Mallard 22, Moorhen 3, Oystercatcher 10, Black-headed gull 28, Herring gull 2, Common gull 5, Gadwall 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 1, Teal 18, Moorhen 6
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Coot 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 5, Little egret 1, Black-headed gull 2
Brickworks
Jackdaw 2
Limestone Lake
Moorhen 2
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Meadow pipit 4
Peninsula Field
Hooded crow 1
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Chaffinch, Great tit, Coal tit, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Magpie, Bullfinch
