Recent Sightings 24th April 2023
A lot of spring arrivals showed themselves this week for the count, either singing their hearts out or displaying in the air. Sandwich terns were showing off their beautiful aerial aerobatics over the Estuary just off the Peninsular Saltmarsh. Common terns are also regularly visiting the Saline Lagoon to fish, hovering in the air and then plunging down to the water.
The Crannóg was filled with the energetic song of the Sedge warbler (pictured) as it moved about well hidden amongst the reeds. These little wetland birds have complex songs which are never exactly the same, as new segments are added each time it is sung. They are summer visitors to the UK, arriving in April and staying here until as late as October before returning to Africa.
A multitude of songs has taken over the Woodland as well, with Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps joining in the chorus of Wrens, Great tits and Goldcrests. A pair of Jays were busy making a messy nest of twigs high up in the trees and Moorhens were calling from the depths of the Secret Swamp.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Mallard 2, Black-headed gull 66, Shelduck 5, Lesser black-backed gull 3, Little egret 1, Common gull 1, Redshank 1, Wood pigeon 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Lesser black-backed gull 2, Mallard 5, Teal 6, Gadwall 2, Tufted duck 4, Black-headed gull 23, Mute swan 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Black-headed gull 315, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Black-tailed godwit 16
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 45, Black-tailed godwit 11, Moorhen 1, Jackdaw 1, Wood pigeon 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 12, Teal 5, Black-headed gull 47, Moorhen 2, Gadwall 2, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Dunnock, Wren, Sedge warbler, Greylag goose 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Black-headed gull 2
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 2, Sandwich tern 2
Peninsula Field
Meadow pipit 1, Moorhen 1
Brickworks
Wood pigeon 1, Jackdaw 3, Goldfinch
Woodland
Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Jackdaw, Jay, Dunnock, Wood pigeon, Great tit, Chaffinch, Moorhen, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Blue tit, Blackcap
