News
Early Birds catch the Dawn Chorus at Castle Espie
International Dawn Chorus Day, on 5 May 2013, is the worldwide celebration of nature’s daily miracle. Castle Espie Wetland Centre is offering a unique opportunity to enjoy their wonderful Wren captured by Richie Lort
16 April 2013
Wildlife sightings for 16th April 2013
1 Garganey - main lake 1 Barnacle Goose - main lake 1 Curlew - on reserve a.m. 3 Redshank - main lake, scrape 4 Snipe 1 Yellow-legged Gull 1st winter - main lake 1 Redstart - entrance bank 1 Wheatear - marsh 1 White Wagtail - main lake 8 Yellow Wagtail
16 April 2013
Hanging onto the nest in the wind
It is very windy today at the osprey nest. We have had a SW wind around force 4 gusting 5 or 6 this morning and the birds have been hanging onto the nest. Both birds have been around all morning and our male even had a go at a mating attempt on the
16 April 2013
Latest Sightings
Folly Pond Whooper Swan 1 Mute Swan 10 Teal 20 Wigeon 10 Redshank 15 Black-tailed Godwit 20 Oystercatcher 4 Shelduck 2 Flood Ground Teal 40 Wigeon 30 Black-headed Gull 2 Oystercatcher 2 Tufted Duck 12 Gadwall 6 Avenue Tower Golden Plover 550 Redshank Curl
16 April 2013
Migrants-Lots to see!
Migrants-Totals so far Common Redstart 3 Wheatear 1 Yellow Wagtail 5 Chiffchaff 100 Willow Warbler 40 Blackcap 30 Sedge Warbler 7 Reed Warbler 2 Grasshopper Warbler 1 Swallow 200+ House Martin 40 Sand Martin 250 The Willow Hide GRASSHOPPER WARBLER 1 singi
16 April 2013
Stong winds at the nest
After a week of dry but cold weather our ospreys had their first rain on Sunday morning and some very strong SW winds. Today the showers stopped before midday and the strong over night winds have eased a bit. However it still looks very windy up on the
15 April 2013
Spring begins for butterflies and bees.
It feels as if spring finally started last Sunday. Warmer temperatures and the sunshine arrived on the final day of the Easter holiday break at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre. The reedbed was alive with warblers on my Sunday morning rounds. I heard the blast
15 April 2013
Today's sightings
Plenty of hirundines (Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows) feeding over the reserve today. Tack Peice Ruddy Shelduck 1 Wigeon 2 Teal 10 Black-tailed Godwit 2 Common Crane 6 Holden Tower Grey Plover 2 Ringed Plover 14 Knot 1 Sanderling 1 Dunlin 8 Whit
15 April 2013
Latest Sightings
Folly Pond Whooper Swan 1 Mute Swan 10 Teal 20 Wigeon 10 Redshank 15 Black-tailed Godwit 11 Oystercatcher 2 Shelduck 2 Flood Ground Teal 40 Wigeon 40 Black-headed Gull 2 Oystercatcher 2 Tufted Duck 2 Avenue Tower Golden Plover 550 Redshank Curlew Lapwing
15 April 2013
Out on the reserve today
Red kite - 1 (flew over the visitor centre) Swallow - 2 House martin - 5 White wagtail - 1 (Lady Fen) Wheatear - 4 (Lady Fen) Willow warbler - 1 (car park) Yesterday's sightings included: Spoonbill from Friends hide, yellow wagtail and the first house m
15 April 2013
Todays Sightings
Wader Lake Avocet - 9 Black-tailed Godwit - 2 Mallard - 30 Teal - 12 Shelduck - 12 Heron - 36 Canada Goose - 10 Greylag Goose - 12 Shoveler - 2 Tufted Duck - 6 Redshank - 16 Saline Lagoon Shelduck - 16 Greylag - 6 Hawthorn Wood Bullfinch - 6 Blue Tit - 3
15 April 2013
Wildlife sightings for 15th April 2013
2 Common Tern - circling high over main lake a.m. 3 Redshank - main lake, scrape 1 Ring Ouzel - scrape bank (E bank) near to Scrape Hide 4 Wheatear - marsh 1 Yellow Wagtail - marsh 4 Linnet - flew E 4 Swallow - feeding ove reedbed 12 Willow Warbler - a
15 April 2013
Yellow Wagtails
New for the year Yellow Wagtails (male and female) from the Ron Barker Hide, possibly another from the Harrier Hide. Quite an influx of wagtails with 10+ Pied, at least one White and a single Grey Wagtail. Wheatear from the Reed Bed Walk. Other movements
15 April 2013
Colourful leg ring proves nene gander is a love cheat!
New plastic rings help breeding program at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre This spring rare wildfowl at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre are sporting colourful plastic leg rings that enable staff to identify them from a distance. The bright new leg bands alerted s
14 April 2013
Sedge warblers at last
Two weeks later than last year at least three Sedge warblers have returned to the reedbed. Other migrants returning include Swallows, House and Sand martins, Hobby, Willow warbler and Chiffchaff. Water voles have been showing really well today. Common toa
14 April 2013