Recent Sightings - 28th December 2020
The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a high tide. The freezing weather has taken hold, and the storm events have pushed a number of roosting birds into the reserve to seek refuge from the wind and the high tides. This include Oystercatcher, Redshank and Greenshank, and we are regularly seeing Curlew feeding in the peninsula field, independent of tides. The Scaup remains on the Saline lagoon, and the spectacular glimpse of the Kingfisher, especially if caught in the low winter light, is a source of vibrant colour on an otherwise grey, dark day. Small flocks of thrushes are also a regular sight, with a group of Song thrush and Blackbird a common site in the brickworks area. Greenshank seems to favour the Wadermarsh, with a few birds occurring in the habitat on a regular basis. This sandpiper is a winter visitor from Scandinavia, often seem individually or in small flocks. The bird is distinctive when encountered, with greyish/green legs and its bill, when observed close up, is straight with a very slight upturn. It is most often heard before seen with a sharp ‘tew, tew, tew’ heard in flight.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Shelduck 108, Oystercatcher 80+, Curlew 4, Black-headed gull 1, Eider 91,
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 122, Tufted duck 20, Coot 2, Teal 50, Grey heron 1, Goldeneye 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Teal 15, Mallard 25, Cormorant 2, Curlew 1, Black-headed gull 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 9, Redshank 6, Greenshank 5
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 4, Moorhen 4, Tufted duck 5
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 4, Black-headed gull 1, Little egret 2, Kingfisher 1, Moorhen 1, Scaup 1
Brickworks
Song thrush 4, Blackbird 6
Limestone Lake
Moorhen 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Redshank 2, Black-headed gull 2
Peninsula Field
Jackdaw 2, Curlew 7, Oystercatcher 1, Common gull 1
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Great tit, Coal tit, Goldfinch, Buzzard 1, Jackdaw, Magpie
