Recent Sightings 10th July 2023
There was a lovely variety of different wetland birds out on the Estuary this morning as the tide went out. Between rainy showers, Grey herons and Little egrets were fishing in the streams running out onto the Lough and the Oystercatcher were busy feeding as the mudflats were exposed. A couple of Whimbrel were seen amongst large numbers of their bigger relative, the Curlew.
Common terns were bracing the rain on the raft in the Saline Lagoon and a group of Little grebe were escaping the raindrops by diving underwater and reappearing with their prey of small fish. These little divers can stay submerged to escape danger for up to 30 seconds, however usual dives looking for food last around 15.
There are lots of Swallows (pictured) skillfully flying over the whole reserve at the moment, as fledglings gain confidence and start to feed themselves. You can find them almost everywhere at Castle Espie, either catching insects on the wing over the Brickworks or swooping down for a mid-flight drink over the Main Lake.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Little egret 4, Shelduck 2, Black-headed gull 15, Mallard 2, Oystercatcher 350, Mute swan 2, Curlew 42, Lesser black-backed gull 3, Black-tailed godwit 1, Hooded crow 2, Herring gull 8, Grey heron 2, Eider 4 (2 ducklings), Whimbrel 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mute swan 2, Grey heron 1, Coot 2 (1 chick), Moorhen 1 (1 chick), Mallard 58, Tufted duck 3 (1 chick), Gadwall 5 (2 ducklings), Little grebe 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 17, Oystercatcher 61, Shelduck 2 (7 ducklings), Moorhen 3
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Sedge warbler, Mallard 5, Black-tailed godwit 1, Oystercatcher 10, Black-headed gull 14, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Moorhen 1, Swallow 2, Starling 25
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Hooded crow 1, House martin 1, Blue tit, Sedge warbler, Swallow 2, Moorhen 1, Gadwall 1 (6 ducklings)
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Common tern 2, Little grebe 5
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Little egret 1, Black-headed gull 1
Brickworks
Swallow 2, Blackbird
Woodland
Wood pigeon, Blue tit, Robin, Wren, Jackdaw
