Recent Sightings - 23th November 2020
The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a rising tide. We continue to see around ~50 Teal resting along the edge of the shingle bank and on feeding on the wadermarsh. In addition, there is a small group of Gadwall that can be seen in the same habitats, and the males of both species are very distinctive especially if bathed in the low winter light. It is the time of year we are seeing wandering flocks of thrushes. We have the familiar resident Blackbird, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush that are distinguished songsters and heard and seen often in spring. Winter however, is a great time for the thrush, when our resident populations are augmented by winter visitors from the cold north. The Blackbird that you spotted on the reserve during the summer may not be the same as the one that is present during the winter here, this may well be a migrant. The ‘true’ winter thrushes are however the Redwing and the Fieldfare. Listen for the ‘seep’ call of Redwings migrating during the winter months. Redwings are smaller than other thrushes and red under their wings, most readily seen when flying. Fieldfares are a much larger and stockier thrush than the Redwing with a plain brown back, white under wings, and grey rump and rear of its head. They make a ‘chack chack’ call which can be a distinguishing feature especially when they are flying.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent goose 65, Shelduck 450, Oystercatcher 144, Greenshank 2, Black-tailed godwit 2, Curlew 31, Redshank 105, Little egret 2, Dunlin 189, Black-headed gull 1, Rook 4, Hooded crow 2, Little egret 3, Knot 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 90, Tufted duck 14, Moorhen 2, Coot 1, Teal 16, Gadwall 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Teal 42, Magpie 1, Moorhen 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 2, Coot 1, Curlew 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 10, Moorhen 3
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 4, Greenshank 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 14, Woodpigeon 8
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 2, Moorhen 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 1
Peninsula Field
Oystercatcher 2
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Chaffinch, Great tit, Coal tit, Goldcrest, Long-tailed tit
