Recent Sightings 17th Jan 2022
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a rising tide. This time of year provides an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Kingfisher on the reserve, which always adds a bit of colour to the damp, grey days. During the breeding season they are hard to spot and remain elusive, but approaching the winter they are more easily seen and heard, and are often spotted flying between the various waterbodies, or fishing from a perch. They are unmistakable due to their bright iridescent blue, and orange often seen flying low and fast over water. They will hunt small fish and invertebrates from their water-side perches. They like to use the edges of sluices and overhanging branches, where they will sit patiently until a fish comes into range. Then, after a bob of the head to judge depth, they dive with a swift motion into the water to catch their prey before they even become aware they are there. They close their eyes before entering the water, effectively catching their prey blind. The bird is amber listed and is vulnerable to pollution, as well as changes in watercourses and prey availability.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Greylag goose 20, Eider 92, Shelduck 103, Redshank 2, Light-bellied brent goose 54, Greater black-backed gull 1, Oystercatcher 232, Great crested grebe 7, Little egret 4, Curlew 1, Greenshank 3, Grey heron 1, Hooded crow 1, Dunlin 2, Goldeneye 8, Common gull 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 106, Tufted duck 1, Teal 9, Moorhen 3, Black-headed gull 3, Teal 5, Gadwall 3
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Gadwall 3, Mallard 64, Teal 102, Jackdaw 2, Black-headed gull 24, Shoveler 1, Moorhen 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 6, Redshank 8, Kingfisher 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 1, Redshank 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 2, Hooded crow 3, Black-headed gull 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 1
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1, Mallard 2
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Redshank 1, Meadow pipit 1
Peninsula Field
Jackdaw 1
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Great tit, Siskin, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Magpie, Bullfinch
