Recent Sightings - 8th June 2020
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie at High Tide. Many of the birds on the reserve now have broods with Shelduck on the Freshwater Lagoon, Eider on the estuary, and Gadwall on the Limestone Lake. Most of the gull chicks on the Saline lagoon have hatched, and the tern pairs on the island and raft will not be far behind, as they are currently sitting on eggs. The brood of swallows in the round house are very visible, and it should not be long until they are fledged. Another pair of Dabchick preforming their elaborate courtship display were spotted on the Limestone Lake, so fingers crossed we will have another nest again here soon. Damselfly including the common blue, as well as, meadow brown and common blue butterfly are all common sights on the reserve presently.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Black-headed gull 5, Herring gull 4, Eider 6, Common tern 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Tufted duck 1, Mallard 5, Moorhen 1, Black-headed gull 110, Coot 2,
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Oystercatcher 297, Black-headed gull 65, Mallard 44, Shelduck 1, Greylag goose 17
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 21, Swallow 2, Shelduck 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Black-headed gull 125, Black-tailed godwit 40, Mallard 2, Moorhen 2, Gadwall 2, Shelduck 10
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Black-headed gull 76, Redshank 2, Common tern 14
Brickworks
Sedge warbler 1, Dunnock 1, Jackdaw 2
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 4, Gadwall 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 2, Little egret 1
Peninsula Field
Meadow pipit 1, Jackdaw 2
Woodland
Blackbird, Buzzard, Wren, Magpie, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue tit, Bullfinch, Great tit, Wood pigeon, Song thrush
Other
Meadow brown and Common blue butterflies are also common sightings throughout the reserve presently.
