Recent Sightings 3rd Jan 2022
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a rising tide. Teal continue to be a familiar sight on the reserve, having established a few years ago. These small ducks can be seen mainly on the edge of the Shingle bank, and on the Wadermarsh. As with many ducks, there is a difference between the genders, with the male sporting a showier plumage. They have a brown head, with a distinctive green patch across the eye, tinged with yellow. The grey body is broken by a horizontal white strip, which can be a helpful identification feature at distance. The female, in contrast, is streaked brown, and mottled. A green speculum and small size are useful identifiers for the species. In flight, the bird’s form resembles that of waders in flight, and they are quick to the air if disturbed. Another way to identify the species is by their call. They have a distinctive whistling ‘peep’ sound and are a fairly vocal species. Locally, a significant number of Teal visit these shores in winter making them an important amber species.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Eider 86, Shelduck 94, Redshank 112, Light-bellied brent goose 11, Wigeon 2, Black-headed gull 9, Oystercatcher 223, Heron 1, Little egret 13, Greenshank 1, Curlew 26, Grey plover 3, Greater-black backed gull 1, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Hooded crow 20
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard47, Tufted duck 7, Teal 27, Moorhen 3
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Oystercatcher 10, Mallard 43, Teal 36, Jackdaw 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Oystercatcher 1, Redshank 5, Moorhen 4, Gadwall 8, Teal 3, Kingfisher 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 3, Teal 14, Moorhen 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 1, Redshank 1, Oystercatcher 1, Black-headed gull 1,
Brickworks
Jackdaw 11
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Curlew 3
Peninsula Field
Jackdaw 1
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Great tit, Coal tit, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Song thrush, Magpie, Bullfinch
