Recent - Sightings 7th January 2019
Count taken at Low tide this morning.
Happy New Year to all! Hopefully the new year will be just as good for birds this year as it was last year!
The highlights this morning were the wintering ducks assemblage on the Main lake and the infrequently sighted Bar-tail Godwits.
The Tufted Duck numbers have a new high for this winter season, utilising the shelter the main lake and the surrounding vegetation provides from the elements. A number of Shoveler have been seen over the Christmas period and are continuing to stay around too. In addition Gadwall and Teal are continually being seen daily on the Main lake and Wadermarsh habitats.
A pair of Bar-tailed Godwits were seen ion front of the Brent Hide this morning; foraging in the "rivers" flowing out of Castle Espie. The Mudflats are better suited for the hard to distinguish Black-tail Godwit, which are common here throughout the winter, but occasional Bar-tails do turn up. Like this morning! Shorter and more sturdy than their longer legged cousins, the Bar-tail Godwit's feathers on its back create a striking marbled effect that is quite beautiful.
Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent Goose 42, Shelduck 63, Wigeon 3, Oystercatcher 13, Redshank 19, Black-headed Gull 33, Grey Heron 1, Curlew 3, Bar-tail Godwit 2
Main lake – visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 230, Tufted Duck 66, Shoveler 4, Gadwall 8, Teal 23, Moorhen 8, Coot 2
Shingle bank – visible from Sensory garden, Wadermarsh and Visitor Centre
Mallard 14, Teal 17, Cormorant 1, Moorhen 5, Jackdaw 7
Wadermarsh – visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 12, Oystercatcher 2
Freshwater Lagoon – visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 9
Saline Lagoon – visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 2
Limestone Lake
Mallard 2
Peninsula Field and Saltmarsh
Jackdaw
Brickworks
Blackbird, Song Thrush, Jackdaw 14, Hooded Crow
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Wood pigeon, Jay, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, House Sparrow
