Recent Sightings - 6th January 2020
An awfully blustery day this morning! The heavy rain and high winds had birds hunkering down on the edge our lakes for shelter and large flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover were seen struggling to fly overhead; a chaotic aerial display of sorts.
In our 25th November blog we talked alot about migrant winter thrushes here at Castle Espie. Well this morning we completed the set! A single Fieldfare was seen munching on Hawthorn berries just next to the collection area.
Fieldfare, just like Redwing, breed in Scandinavia/Russia and migrate to western Europe to wait out the frozen arctic winters. They have speckled breasts just like the Redwing, Song and Mistle thrushes, but they stand out from the others with their grey head and napes, and red chestnut backs.
Fieldfare sometimes live up to their name and can be seen in large flocks foraging in fields. They also move from tree to tree searching for lots of ripe berries. With all the leaves off the trees, it's easy to seem them gorging themselves on the fruits of Hawthorn and Holly. Check the tree tops next time you're out in the reserve for these winter migrants.
Today's Count was taken at HighTide
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent Geese 29, Shelduck 54, Teal 2, Oystercatcher 250 (Roosting on pier) , Black-tailed Godwit 2, Redshank 91, Greenshank 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 121, Tufted duck 31, Gadwall 5, Greylag goose 1, Coot 1, Little Egret 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Cormorant 2, Mallard 22, Teal 15, Black-headed Gull 5
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 6, Teal 25, Redshank 20, Bar-tail Godwit 1, Curlew 1, Oystercatcher 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannog
Mallard 4, Teal 18, Moorhen 1, Coot 2, Heron 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 3, Redshank 11, Moorhen 1
Peninsula field and marsh
Black-headed Gull 2, Redshank 4
Woodland
Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon
