Recent Sightings 5th August 2025
The following sightings were taken from the reserve at Castle Espie during a high tide. The bird of the week is the Cormorant. Cormorants are large black birds with wingspans of up to 1.6m. They are often found on the coast, but many specialise in inland habitats too. These birds are piscivores, which means they primarily eat fish. Cormorants will dive for fish and catch them in their hooked beaks. They are often seen standing with their wings spread out, this is because unlike other sea birds their feathers aren't completely waterproof, so after diving they must dry their wings.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Herring Gull 16, Curlew 4, Oystercatcher 11, Common Gull 8, Lesser-black backed Gull 3, Black-headed Gull 14,
Main lake - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 88, Moorhen 2, Little Grebe 3, Tufted Duck 7, Herring Gull 2, Grey Heron 3, Little Egret 19, Woodpigeon, Sand Martin, House Martin, Long-eared owl, Sparrowhawk
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Moorhen 6, Gadwall 4, Mallard 90, Oystercatcher 1, Cormorant 1, Hooded Crow 1, Jackdaw 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed Gull 104, Common Gull 19, Herring Gull 15, Lesser-black backed Gull 1, Woodpigeon, Swallow
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Gadwall 8, Moorhen 2, Mute Swan 2 adults and 3 ducklings, Swallow, Goldfinch
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 2, Little Egret 1
Brickworks
Swallow
Limestone Lake
Goldfinch
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed Gull 1
Peninsula Field
No birds seen
Woodland
Woodpigeon, Wren, Sparrowhawk, Robin, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Great Tit
Sensory Garden
Robin, Blackbird, Woodpigeon
