Recent Sightings 23rd July 2024
A beautiful, sunny day on the Reserve today revealed that we have Common tern chicks on the raft at Saline Lagoon! Common terns (pictured), also known as sea-swallows, are summer visitors to our shores but are also commonly found inland. These graceful birds will hover above the water and then plunge down to catch small fish. See if you can spot the small, spotty chicks next time you’re out on the Reserve!
Juvenile Sparrowhawks are loudly calling to each other throughout the Woodland canopy, and Grey heron youngsters are also making loud shrieking noises high up in the trees. With young birds having fledged and still communicating with the adults, the Woodland is a cacophony of sound at the moment.
The Brickworks is bursting with life. As different species of wildflowers constantly reveal themselves, 6-spot burnet moths and all sorts of colourful butterflies populate the meadow area along with Swallows and Goldfinches.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Black-headed gull 54, Common gull 26, Lesser black-backed gull 5, Oystercatcher 2, Hooded crow 1, Common tern 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mute swan 2, Tufted duck 3, Coot 5, Moorhen 10, Little grebe 2, Mallard 163, Lesser black0backed gull 1, Teal 3, Black-headed gull 5, Wood pigeon, Wren, Robin, House martin, Swallow, Blackbird
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Common gull 12, Mallard 4, Gadwall 2, Black-headed gull 16, Little egret 10, Grey heron 1, Shelduck 2 (6 juveniles), Moorhen 3, Jackdaw 2, Oystercatcher 12, Cormorant 1, Wren
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 1, Moorhen 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Gadwall 5, Mallard 2, Swallow, Blackbird, Wood pigeon
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Kingfisher 1, Little grebe 2, Cormorant 1, Common tern 9 (3 chicks)
Peninsula Field
Swallow
Brickworks
Jackdaw 2, Goldfinch 2, Swallow, Blackbird
Limestone Lake
Buzzard 1, Swallow
Woodland
Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Grey heron, Sparrowhawk
