Recent Sightings - 2nd May
The following sightings were recorded by Pete Matchett, Reserve Warden
Swallows have well and truly returned with numbers of around 30 feeding over the Main Lake and Freshwater Lagoon. One pair also seem to be interested in nesting in the round house.
Ringed Plover have nested on the Peninsula Saltmarsh again, as they have done for the past few years. Currently we have 2 pairs on nests. With an incubation period of 21 days we can expect to see some chicks in as soon as 2 weeks.
Black Headed Gull numbers are sitting at around 900 in total and nesting has certainly begun. Over 100 nests currently on the freshwater lagoon, most with a full clutch of 2-3 eggs, although incubation has only just begun so it will be around another 24-27 days before we see any of the chicks.
Large numbers of Black Tailed Godwit have been roosting on the Wader Marsh around high tide, up to 1000 individuals. Out of the 1000 total, 3 have been spotted with rings. One of which was ringed 5 years ago in Iceland and is a first time visitor to Castle Espie. Another was ringed by Kerry Mackie, our Reserve Manager.
Main lake – visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Black Headed Gull 440
Gadwall 3
Mute Swan 2
Tufty 34
Little grebe 2
Swallows 30
Coot 4
Greylag 4
Lesser Black Backed Gull 2
Shelduck 4
Mediterranean Gull 1
Freshwater lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannog
Black Headed Gull 390
Coot 2
Tufty 9
Mute Swan 8
Wader marsh - visible from Wader marsh lookout
Redshank 60
Black Tailed Godwit 1000
Teal 4
Curlew 1
Knot 10
Shelduck 8
Saline lagoon – visible from Saline lagoon lookout
Black Headed Gull 190
Gadwall 2
Oystercatcher 9
Redshank 3
Greenshank 1
Limestone lake – visible from Limestone pavilion
Mute Swan 2
Little Grebe 4
Cormorant 1
Tufty 6
