Recent Sightings 5th December 2022
Start of December on the reserve and the temperature has definitely dropped! The Kingfisher was out on the Limestone Lake fishing in the cold winter sunshine, accompanied by a small trio of Otters playing in the water. Whilst the center has been closed, our usually elusive otters have been making the most of the quiet pathways.
A Grey heron (pictured) is not an uncommon sight at Castle Espie, walking gracefully through saline lagoon or standing perfectly still at the edge of the Freshwater ponds. However, during the colder months these tall waders look almost regal against the still, crisp, early morning fog. Grey herons can be found here all year round, feeding mainly on fish, but will also eat small mammals and chicks. They nest in colonies called ‘Heronries’, building nests often high up in the trees.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Shelduck 72, Herring gull 1, Black-headed gull 2, Light-bellied brent goose 3, Cormorant 3, Eider 7, Great crested grebe 2, Little egret 1, Knot 4, Oystercatcher ~240, Dunlin 16, Curlew ~100
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Tufted duck 6, Little egret 1, Gadwall 3, Moorhen 2, Mallard 197
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Black-headed gull 9, Moorhen 7, Cormorant 1, Hooded crow 2, Common gull 2, Mallard 31, Teal 98
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Oystercatcher 2, Redshank 6, Little egret 2, Moorhen 4, Hooded crow 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Redshank 1, Teal 1, Moorhen 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 10, Little egret 1, Grey heron 1, Redshank 2, Moorhen 1, Black-headed gull 2
Brickworks
Hooded crow 1
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1, Kingfisher 1, Moorhen 2, Otter 3
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Shelduck 3, Redshank 2, Black-headed gull 1
Peninsula Field
Woodland
Magpie, Blackbird, Great tit, Goldcrest, Blue tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Coal tit, Long tailed tit, Dunnock
