Recent Sightings 27th February 2023
The tide was way out for this bird count, but there were still plenty of Shelduck and Brent geese to be seen feeding on the mudflats and in the streams running down the Lough. Oystercatcher and Curlew were out as well, probing the ground for food with their strong, well-adapted bills. Waders like these, with long sturdy beaks, are birds that need to poke around in the mud for their prey. The slightly upturned bill of Godwits is another example of this.
Gadwall (pictured) were out on the Main Lake and the Wadermarsh, amongst the Teal and Mallard. Only small numbers of these attractive, grey and black dabbling ducks nest here, with their numbers increasing over the winter, so it’s nice to see them utilising the wetland habitats that Castle Espie can offer.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Shelduck 115, Light-bellied brent goose 117, Hooded crow 2, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Black-headed gull 14, Herring gull 10, Little egret 2, Oystercatcher 34, Curlew 6, Redshank 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 50, Moorhen 1, Teal 9, Gadwall 10, Black-headed gull 2, Tufted duck 1, Cormorant 1, Kingfisher 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 14, Teal 47, Moorhen 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-tailed godwit 1, Teal 44, Moorhen 3, Redshank 1, Gadwall 6
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Teal 2, Mallard 3
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Mute swan 2, Little grebe 2, Greenshank 1, Redshank 1, Moorhen 1
Peninsular Saltmarsh
Redshank 1, Jackdaw 2
Brickworks
Jackdaw, Blackbird, Great tit
Limestone Lake
Moorhen 1
Woodland
Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Robin, Blue tit, Goldfinch, Siskin, Chaffinch, Mistle thrush, Bullfinch, Magpie, Coal tit, Long tailed tit, Raven
