Recent Sightings - 5th October 2020
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie at low tide. Despite the poor weather there continue to be spectacular views over the estuary with around 2,000 Brent visible from Castle Espie, as well as a host of other species all taking advantage of the food supply on the mudflats. We are starting to see some of the wintering birds on the reserve also, including flocks of finches, wintering thrushes starting to come in, and itinerant Skylark and Meadow pipit. We have had a couple of interesting spots in the last week including Water rail in the Freshwater Lagoon/ Limestone Lake area, as well as an Otter spotted in the Saline Lagoon busily munching on a crab. The Goldcrest, a usually low-key and inconspicuous species, has been very visible recently and was spotted in the Woodland, Freshwater lagoon, Limestone lake and Collection area.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent goose 1,900+, Little egret 5, Jackdaw 8, Oystercatcher 5, Redshank 2, Curlew 5, Mallard 5, Shelduck 18, Herring gull 7, Lesser black-backed gull 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 181, Tufted 18, Teal 5, Coot 2, Goldeneye 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 56, Moorhen 2, Black-headed gull 2, Teal 3
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 2, Teal 58, Black-headed gull 3, Greylag goose 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 5, Moorhen 2, Grey heron 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 5, Little egret 1, Kingfisher 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 5
Limestone Lake
Moorhen 1, Mallard 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Goldfinch 30, Meadow pipit 2
Peninsula Field
Skylark 4, Starling 30+
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest
Other
An Otter was spotted swimming in the Saline Lagoon yesterday morning, and a Water rail has been seen around the Limestone lake during the week
