Recent Sightings - 9th November 2020
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a falling tide. There was much interest on the reserve yesterday, particularly on the Saline Lagoon with the Kingfisher active on one of the constructed perches, and delightfully, we had a Water rail feeding amongst the fringe vegetation, occasionally wandering out into open water to give some rewarding views of this unusual but striking wetland bird. Water rails are widespread but not very commonly seen or recorded as it is a very secretive birds and is more often heard than seen. A wetland bird species of note, the Water rail frequents reedbeds and freshwater wetlands, where it feeds on invertebrates, plants, amphibians and small fish. The bird spotted yesterday was seen on the edge of the Saline lagoon feeding in the thick vegetation by the water’s edge. We are delighted it has turned up yet again on the reserve, demonstrating our habitat management is helping support a variety of wetland species.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent goose 290, Little egret 1, Shelduck 330, Wigeon 7, Redshank 31, Curlew 14, Oystercatcher 245, Merlin 1, Widgeon 27, Black-headed gull 2, Grey plover 40, Greenshank 2, Herring gull 1, Bar-tailed godwit 4, Curlew 14, Greater black-backed gull 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 19, Tufted duck 18, Moorhen 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 72, Teal 4, Coot 1, Moorhen 1, Grey heron 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 12, Redshank 3, Coot 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Greylag goose 1, Mallard 7, Moorhen 5, Coot 1, Sparrowhawk 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Water rail 1, Little grebe 4, Kingfisher 1, Linnet 2
Brickworks
Meadow pipit 3, Jackdaw 10, Blue tit 1
Limestone Lake
Moorhen 1, Mallard 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 2
Peninsula Field
Curlew 29
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Chaffinch, Great tit, Hooded crow, Buzzard 2, Coal tit, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Long-tailed tit
Title photo credit: Jonny Clarke
