Recent Sightings 26th February 2024
Our rare visitor is still here! A Spotted redshank, an unusual sight at Castle Espie, seems to be sticking around the area for a while, often seen either on the Estuary or the Wadermarsh – both habitats can be seen perfectly from the Brent Hide on the Reserve. Large numbers of Oystercatcher (pictured) were ready to roost on the end of the Pier as the tide slowly came in with the chilly wind. The Limekiln Observatory is a great place to view these endearing black and white waders as the hunker down on the rocks with the water creeping in around them.
Goldfinch and Siskin were busy in the woodland, feeding on the seeds provided by the larch trees and other conifers. Siskin are also members of the finch family, meaning both these brightly coloured little passerines have the perfect beaks for prizing out seeds and cracking them open. Evolution provided them with the perfect tools for the job! A Mistle thrush was also singing away in the Woodland, which is less likely to hear than its usual ‘football rattle’ call. Yes, although it’s less often heard than it’s call, the Mistle thrush actually has a melodic song not unlike a Blackbird!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Spotted redshank 1, Redshank 43, Curlew 34, Oystercatcher 347, Grey plover 24, Herring gull 8, Common gull 4, Shelduck 1, Light-bellied brent goose 69, Hooded crow 4, Dunlin 30, Turnstone 2, Knot 2, Black-tail godwit 4, Eider 28
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mute swan 2, Teal 24, Mallard 14, Gadwall 6, Coot 2, Moorhen 9, Tufted duck 4, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Great tit, Blue tit, Robin, Raven, Wood pigeon
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Cormorant 2, Jackdaw 6, Teal 46, Moorhen 1, Mallard 12, Gadwall 8, Little egret 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Greenshank 2, Redshank 4, Black-tail godwit 4
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Teal 10, Mallard 5, Moorhen 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 1, Teal 6
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Shelduck 2, Jackdaw 2
Peninsula Field
Hooded crow 2
Brickworks
Jackdaw 4
Limestone Lake
Wood pigeon 2, Mallard 2
Woodland
Mistle thrush, Robin, Wren, Wood pigeon, Blue tit, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Coal tit, Great tit, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Siskin
