Recent Sightings 8th May 2023
The first chicks are starting to show themselves on the reserve as little fluffy Moorhen chicks ran about on the Wadermarsh. The black-headed gulls are settling into their sites with eggs already in some nests. The Sedge warblers are singing strongly at the Crannog and the Swallows are gliding through the clear, blue, sunny sky above them. You can see their characteristic tail streamers and glossy plumage from the ground as they swoop up and down catching insects on the wing.
Common terns (pictured) are becoming a much more regular sight at the Saline Lagoon, investigating the tern raft for nesting and fishing in the water. These graceful birds are summer migrants and are nicknamed ‘sea-swallows’ due to their graceful, aerial skills. During breeding season, these birds will fish in both salt and freshwater, so can be seen flying over the whole reserve looking for food.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Light-bellied brent goose 15, Oystercatcher 127, Shelduck 2, Little egret 2, Black-headed gull 24, Black-tail godwit 31, Common tern 2, Curlew 2, Redshank 3, Herring gull 6, Whimbrel 1, Lesser black-backed gull 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Goldeneye 1, Tufted duck 6, Mallard 19 (1 duckling), Black-headed gull 30, Moorhen 8 (4 chicks), Gadwall 1, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Coot 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Black-headed gull 249, Mallard 6, Oystercatcher 1, Black-tailed godwit 86
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Shelduck 1, Black-headed gull 76
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 17, Black-headed gull 137, Moorhen 2, Black-tailed godwit 1, Gadwall 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Mallard 2, Black-headed gull 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-tailed godwit 1, Shelduck 1, Black-headed gull 3, Sedge warbler, Blackbird
Brickworks
Jackdaw 4, Wren, Starling, Swallow
Limestone Lake
Black-headed gull 3, Wood pigeon
Woodland
Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Robin, Great tit, Mistle thrush, Song thrush, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Swallow
