Recent Sightings 2nd Aug 2021
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie during high tide. A Common Sandpiper and Kingfisher have been seen recently around a number of the lakes and ponds on site and worth taking a closer look to see if these not so common birds can be spotted. Out on the Estuary, we are approaching the end of the breeding season and there are already birds on the move with Whimbrel and Bar-tailed godwit seen recently. Within the woodland habitat on the reserve there is the typical assemblage of woodland birds including small song birds like the Blue tit and Dunnock and the presence of their ‘arch-nemesis’ is never far away. A young bird was rescued recently from the Round house, unable to find its way out. It was potentially chasing down a swallow which use this area to nest. The Sparrow-hawk is a specialist in woodland areas with its short broad wings and long tail enabling it to swoop between trees and branches and turn quickly when pursuing its prey. The diversity of woodland is ideal for a range of songbird species, which do well in this habitat and in turn predatory birds like the Sparrowhawk can thrive also.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Black-headed gull 13, Greater black-backed gull 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 21
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 4, Black-headed gull 83, Common gull 8, Greylag goose 3, Moorhen 4, Oystercatcher 182, Black-tailed godwit 2, Jackdaw 3
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 14, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Oystercatcher 151, Black-tailed godwit 3
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Woodpigeon 2, Sedge warbler 1, Mallard 8, Moorhen 3, Gadwall 4, Teal 1, Coot 2, Black-headed gull 3, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Grey heron 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 2, Little egret 1
Brickworks
Starling 20
Limestone Lake
Tufted duck 1, Mallard 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Woodpigeon 1
Peninsula Field
Jackdaw 1
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Chaffinch, Coal tit, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Raven, Hooded crow, Dunnock, Great tit, Goldcrest, Magpie, Sparrowhawk
