Recent Sightings - 28th September 2020
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a rising tide. Bumper crop on the estuary yesterday morning with a large flock of Greylag visible. The Sparrowhawk is still active and can be heard and seen as it hunts in the woodland. This small, but remarkably accomplished raptor is a small bird specialist and it uses its speed and agility to chase down and capture its prey amongst the complex mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees of the woodland in Castle Espie. This said, the hawks at Castle Espie have also been spotted chasing small waders such as Redshank on the saltmarsh, and it is also know to take bats also. Look out for these hawks perching in our woodland areas, and if you are lucky you may spot one as it swoops to catch its prey. Males are noticeably smaller than females and have with grey upper parts, and a slate grey head, and an orange/brown face. Females up to 25% bigger and are streaked with dark brown all over. The yellow legs and eye surround are also conspicuous features of this species. It’s also worth listening out for their distinctive call of the Sparrowhawk, and in addition, listen out for the alarm calls of their prey as they alert other birds of its presence. A sure sign that there has been recent Sparrowhawk activity is a pile of ‘plucked’ feathers on the ground.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent goose 2,100, Little egret 6, Hooded crow 3, Eider 190, Greylag goose 142, Jackdaw 1, Rook 1, Oystercatcher 220, Redshank 13, Curlew 100, Teal 30, Shelduck 2, Common gull 4, Grey plover 15, Greenshank 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 12, Moorhen 2, Tufted 3
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 19, Moorhen 1, Teal 3, Coot 1, Greylag goose 1, Jackdaw 11, Black-headed gull 6,
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 5, Teal 19, Black-headed gull 2, Jackdaw 3, Carrion crow 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 2, Coot 2, Moorhen 8, Grey heron 1, Goldcrest 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Greenshank 4, Little grebe 3, Little egret 4
Brickworks
Jackdaw 4, Robin 1
Limestone Lake
Moorhen 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Little egret 5
Peninsula Field
Jackdaw 3
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Great tit, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Sparrowhawk
