Recent Sightings 15th September 2025
The following sightings were taken from the reserve at Castle Espie during a falling tide. This week's bird of the week is the moorhen. This is a common species found in wetlands and freshwater habitats and is often overlooked! Moorhens are black with white tail feathers and a yellow-tipped red beak. They have long yellow toes which are perfect for helping them stay above vegetation and mud while sneaking through reedbeds. Moorhens are poor fliers and they will run across the surface of the water flapping if they are startled.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Curlew 175, Redshank 58, Oystercatcher 555, Little Egret 6, Brent Goose 378, Rook 1, Black Headed Gull 89, Black-tailed Godwit 43, Great Black-backed Gull 1, Knot 4, Shelduck 1, Common Gull 23, Herring Gull 6, Golden Plover 2, Greenshank 1, Swallows, Eider Duck 6, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 136, Moorhen 3, Woodpigeon 1, Black-headed Gull 1, Teal 2, Grey Heron 1, Little Grebe 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Greylag Goose 1, Mallard 60, Moorhen 2, Jackdaw 12, Chiff chaff
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Teal 82, Moorhen 3, Gadwall 4
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mute Swan 5
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 1
Brickworks
Goldfinches, Swallows, Kestrel
Limestone Lake
Long-tailed Tits
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Swallows, Woodpigeon
Woodland
Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Robin, Woodpigeon, Bullfinch
Sensory Garden
Rook, Robin, Woodpigeon
