Recent Sightings 19th August 2024
The following sightings
were taken today from the reserve at Castle Espie at high tide. This time of year provides an opportunity to
catch a glimpse of the Kingfisher on the reserve. During the breeding season they are hard to
spot and remain elusive but approaching the winter they become more visible and
can be seen flying between the various waterbodies or fishing from a
perch. They are unmistakable due to
their bright iridescent blue and orange often seen flying low and fast over
water. They will hunt small fish and
invertebrates from lake side perches.
They like to use the edges of sluices and overhanging branches and the
various perches we have installed to dive into the water and catch a fish. Although there are a number of kingfisher
species across the globe including the Kookaburra in Australia, our bird is the
only one that breeds in Europe. It has
an amber conservation status and is vulnerable to pollution and changes in
watercourses.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Herring gull 1, Oystercatcher 81, Hooded crow 2, Black-headed gull 44, Curlew 10, Lesser black-backed gull 3, Little egret 6, Black-tailed godwit 16, Greater black-backed gull 1, Common gull ~40
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 139, Tufted duck 5, Teal 2, Moorhen 5, Gadwall 2, Coot 6, Little egret 25, Little grebe 3, Common gull 2, Heron 1, Robin, Wren, Coal tit, Woodpigeon, House martin, Swallow
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 73, Oystercatcher 1, Common tern 1, Greylag 13, Mute swan 2, Moorhen 6, Little egret 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Greylag 31, Black-headed gull 1, Teal 10, Moorhen 3, Mallard 2, Oystercatcher 1, Redshank 43
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 6, Mallard 4, Swallow 1.2, Sedge warbler 1, Jackdaw 1, Woodpigeon
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Common tern 5.6, Little grebe 3, Mallard 1, Little egret 1
Brickworks
Chiffchaff 1, Goldfinch ~40, Cormorant 4
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1, Kingfisher 1, Woodpigeon
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Lesser black-backed gull 1
Peninsula Field
NA
Woodland
Wren, Robin, Goldcrest, Wood pigeon
