Recent Sightings - 27th September 2021
The Brent are back! Large flocks of Brent are being seen are being seen on a daily a basis out on the estuary. The best time to see them is 2 hour before high tide, when the tide pushes them in close to the shore to feed. At this time, if your quiet you can get some brilliant view form the Brent Hide. Check out the Tide times at reception when arrive to co-ordinate your visit to the birds hides.
If on your arrival you find you've missed your chance for close up views of the Brent geese, not to worry. Castle Espie is currently hosting a large flock of Greylag and Canada geese! They are best seen at high tide on the Shingle and or the Wadermarsh. Our maximum count puts the mixed flock at close to 200 birds! On the shingle keep an eye out for the roosting wader flocks too, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and Oystercatcher numbers are starting to build at high tide.
On our lakes and marshes, check for some of our less well known ducks; Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and Shelduck are all being seen frequently. There is lots of wildfowl activity both on the reserve and out on the estuary. Autumn is well and truely here.
Count Taken at Low tide on Monday Morning.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent goose 1609, Curlew 8, Oystercatcher 2, Black-headed gull 29, Little Egret 4, Herring Gull 1, Common Gull 1, Peregrine falcon 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mute swan 3, Mallard 29, Little Grebe 2, Moorhen 1, Canada Geese 39
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Greylag 34, Mallard 32, Moorhen 2, Gadwall 5, Teal 9, Tufted duck 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 1, Moorhen 2, Teal 12
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Shoveler 5, Kingfisher 1, Mallard 3, Moorhen 5, Coot 2, Teal 105
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 6, Little Egret 2, Kingfisher 1
Brickworks
Blackbird 1, Song Thrush 1, Jackdaw 14
Limestone Lake
Little Grebe 1, Heron 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 1, Shelduck 1
Peninsula Field
Meadow pipit 2, Black-tailed Godwit 15, Goldfinch c.10
Woodland
Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Chaffinch, Great tit, Coal tit, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Hooded Crow, Jay, Blackcap
