Recent Sightings 25th October 2022
Although Castle Espie is closed to visitors for the time being, we would still love to share with you the birds we’ve been getting out on the reserve – see if you can take yourself on an imaginary tour of our hides with these sightings!
The Estuary is still hosting large numbers of Brent geese, with more juveniles and family groups coming in to feed on the Eel grass. They are being joined now by Widgeon, with the striking white streak on the head of the male duck being hard to miss. They’re very colourful birds, with a distinctive mix of brown, white, grey and pink feathers.
It’s also lovely to see so many Teal on our lakes. The males have very bold head plumage and both sexes have an incredibly bright green wing patch. This can be seen clearly when they fly, which is also a spectacle to see as they flock and dance in the sky unlike most dabbling ducks. They are also incredibly skilled at a speedy take off – they can fly straight up into the air, hence the fact their collective noun is a ‘spring’!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Mute swan 7, Greenshank 3, Curlew 2, Oystercatcher 91, Shelduck 13, Little egret 14, Black-tailed godwit 5, Redshank 6, Common gull 1, Black-headed gull 11, Brent geese, Widgeon
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 184, Tufted duck 2, Gadwall 4, Teal 6, Moorhen 2, Shoveller 2, Kingfisher 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Moorhen 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 4, Teal 38, Black-headed gull 1, Mute 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Teal 29, Mallard 2, Coot 1, Moorhen 6, Mute swan 2, Shoveller 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 11, Teal 3, Pied wagtail 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 9
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 3
Peninsula Field
Woodland
Robin, Great tit, Goldfinch, Long-tailed tit, Blackbird, Blue tit, Chaffinch, Wren, Goldcrest, Wood pigeon, Treecreeper
