Recent Sightings 2nd December 2024
The following sightings were taken today from the reserve at Castle Espie during a rising tide. The weather conditions were cloudy and cold with strong winds. The bird of the week is Knot (Calidris canutus). This medium sized wader can be seen out on the estuary, sometimes in very large, tightly packed flocks. This species is grey above and white below in winter and has quite a short-legged and plump appearance compared to other wader species that you will see on the estuary.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Eider 24, Shelduck 188, Common gull 2, Black-headed gull 1, Herring gull 2, Great black-backed gull 1, Black-tailed godwit 5, Wigeon 90, Light-bellied Brent Geese 56, Curlew 8, Redshank 45, Oystercatcher 148, Greenshank 2, Turnstone 1, Dunlin 104, Knot c.200, Hooded Crow 4, Rook 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 148, Tufted duck 10, Gadwall 17, Teal 25, Moorhen 7, Grey heron 1, Raven, Magpie, Blackbird, Song thrush, Chaffinch
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Oystercatcher 2, Mallard 23, Teal 8, Gadwall 2, Cormorant 1, Little egret 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Teal 69, Redshank 1, Moorhen 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 2, Teal 12, Gadwall 6, Grey heron 1, Little grebe 1, Moorhen 3, Lapwing (flying overhead)
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 3, Little egret 1, Redshank 2, Cormorant 1
Brickworks
Robin 1
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1, Woodpigeon
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Redshank 1
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Chaffinch, Great tit, Coal tit, Robin, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Moorhen, Goldfinch, Magpie, Goldcrest
