Recent Sightings 19th February 2024
Exciting news – a rare bird alert!
This past week we’ve had a Spotted redshank (pictured) roaming through the waters of the Wadermarsh, feeding alongside Greenshank, Common redshank and Black-tailed godwits. Easily visible from the Brent Hide on the Reserve, this unusual visitor has been here all week. Spotted redshank are harder to identify from their Common counterparts in the winter than they are in the summer. Winter plumage is pale, not unlike that of a Greenshank, and they have a slightly longer, more slender beak. However, in the summer, Spotted redshank live up to their name, with a plumage of soot black feathers covered in small white flecks. Let’s hope it sticks around for a few more photo opportunities!
The tide was just retreating for this count, with lots of lovely waders outside the Brent Hide on the Estuary, including Grey plover, Curlew and tiny Dunlin in amongst them. A large raft of Eider were further out on the water but still visible from our hides, bobbing up and down with the waves.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Shelduck 22, Redshank 12, Oystercatcher 206, Grey plover 5, Curlew 14, Light-bellied brent goose 144, Greater black-backed gull 1, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Herring gull 1, Eider 40, Hooded crow 4, Black-tailed godwit 26, Black-headed gull 2, Little egret 2, Dunlin 6, Grey heron 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Teal 18, Mallard 29, Tufted duck 7, Moorhen 4, Little grebe 2, Cormorant 2, Coal tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wood pigeon, Chaffinch, Robin, Magpie, Pied wagtail
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Moorhen 3, Teal 42, Mallard 20, Cormorant 2, Gadwall 4, Jackdaw 2, Redshank 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Teal 4, Moorhen 2, Black-tailed godwit 2, Redshank 3, Greenshank 2, Black-headed gull 1, Spotted redshank 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 5, Mallard 9, Gadwall 13, Hooded crow 3
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 1, Redshank 2
Brickworks
Jackdaw 15, Blue tit, Blackbird
Limestone Lake
Moorhen 1, Wood pigeon 1, Peregrine falcon 1 (flying over)
Woodland
Great tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Wren, Jackdaw, Coal tit, Siskin, Long-tailed tit
