Recent Sightings - 25th May 2020
The following sightings were recorded today at Castle Espie during mid-tide. Despite the strong winds over the weekend, the sedge warbler could be seen high in the willows in full voice, whilst swaying in the wind. The reed buntings are active at the edge of the peninsula field, and occasionally spotted elsewhere on the reserve. Oystercatcher continue to come to roost on the shingle bank at high tide, availing of the quiet environment. Activity on the Saline Lagoon continues, with 6 pairs of common tern now around, although not all have settled to nest yet. A number of birds of prey have been spotted in the last week including Buzzard and Sparrow hawk in the woodland, as well as, peregrine in an aerial battle with a wader over the brickworks. Sightings of the wood white butterfly continue at the edge of the brickworks.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Black-headed gull 12, Lesser black-backed gull 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Greylag goose 21, Tufted duck 7, Mallard 5, Moorhen 2, Black-headed gull 97, Gadwall 2, Coot 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Coot 1, Black-headed gull 45, Cormorant 1, Mallard 25, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Oystercatcher 312 (HT), Black-tailed godwit 45 (HT)
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 4, Shelduck 2, Swallow 2, House martin 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Black-headed gull 154, Black-tailed godwit 5, Mallard 4, Moorhen 2, Gadwall 2, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Coot 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Black-headed gull 68, Redshank 2, Common tern 11, Cormorant 1, Gadwall 1
Brickworks
Linnet 1, Wren 1, Jackdaw 5
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1, Grey heron 1, Moorhen 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Meadow pipit 1, Black-headed gull 1
Peninsula Field
Meadow pipit 1, Reed bunting 1, Hooded crow 2, Jackdaw 2
Woodland
Blackbird, Sparrow hawk, Wren, Grey crow, Magpie, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue tit, Bullfinch, Great tit, Coal tit, Wood pigeon, Buzzard, Raven, Blackcap, Goldfinch, Tree creeper
Other
A wood white butterfly was spotted again on the edge of the Brickworks
