Recent Sightings 15th April 2024
The first Swallows (pictured) have arrived on the Reserve after their long migration from Southern Africa, marking that spring is in full swing! These beautiful, aerial acrobats arrive in spring for breeding season, and stay here until October, when they head back to their wintering grounds. They are often found around wetland habitats, drinking and catching insects on the wing.
The first ducklings of the year have also made an appearance on the Main Lake. A female Mallard had her 13 newly hatched ducklings on display, perfectly viewed from the Turtle Hide in the Sensory Garden. You can watch them catch midges from the air and graze the short grass as they learn to feed.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Shelduck 7, Lesser black-backed gull 6, Light-bellied brent goose 258, Black-headed gull 28, Curlew 2, Oystercatcher 3, Redshank 5, Greenshank 1, Black-tailed godwit 190, Little egret 1, Herring gull 12
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 18 with 13 ducklings, Gadwall 9, Little egret 1, Black-headed gull 1, Teal 6, Coot 2, Raven 1, Blackbird, Blue tit, Wood pigeon
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Black-headed gull 75, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Mallard 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 12, Shelduck 2, Swallow 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Gadwall 5, Moorhen 1, Mallard 7, Black-headed gull 5
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Black-headed gull 4
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Light-bellied brent goose 12, Black-headed gull 2, Hooded crow 2
Brickworks
Jackdaw 4, Robin, Blackbird
Limestone Lake
Moorhen 1, Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Blue tit
Woodland
Wood pigeon, Blue tit, Great tit, Robin, Hooded crow, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Song thrush, Blackbird, Wren
