Recent Sightings - 7th September 2020
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a falling tide. In addition to the Brent geese increasing in numbers on the estuary, we are seeing an increase in other wintering wildfowl, and waders to the Lough. Teal have returned to the reserve, and are frequenting their usual haunts. There is some great views from the Brent Discovery Hide over the Wader marsh on the reserve, where this charismatic little duck is most commonly found. The hide is also a great spot to catch a glimpse of the swelling number of winter migrants including Curlew, Redshank and Lapwing. look out for large flocks of Goldfinch on the Brickworks 40+ as they feed on the seed heads of knapweed from our wildflower meadow.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent goose 456, Greater black-backed gull 1, Black-headed gull 11, Little egret 11, Mallard 1, Curlew 5, Herring gull 5, Oystercatcher 7, Black-tailed godwit 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 11, Gadwall 2, Tufted 5, Goldeneye 1, Teal 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Greylag goose 1, Mallard 21
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Teal 35, Mallard 1, Coot 5, Moorhen 3, Black-headed gull 3, Jackdaw 1, Rook 1, Swallow 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Bluetit 3, Long-tailed tit 6, Goldcrest 2, Swallow 12, Mallard 18, Coot 2, , Tufted duck 2, Moorhen 3
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 3, Kingfisher 1
Brickworks
Goldfinch 31, Robin 1, Magpie 1, Jackdaw 7
Limestone Lake
Swallow 1, Kingfisher 1, Grey heron 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Oystercatcher 1
Peninsula Field
Blackbird 1
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Chaffinch, Robin, Great tit, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Tree creeper, Bullfinch, Wren, Goldfinch
Other
It has been a quiet year for dragonflies but there has been a few observations of common darter recently, especially on a warm day around the swamp and brickworks ponds. Moth trapping continues on the reserve with a good numbers from the Limekiln area with moths including Square-spot rustic and Canary shouldered thorn.
