Recent Sightings 18th May 2026
The following sightings were taken from the reserve at Castle Espie during a rising tide. The bird of the week this week is the Reed Warbler. This warbler has buff coloured underparts and a light brown back. It looks somewhat similar to the Sedge Warbler (also found in the reedbeds on the reserve), but lacks the dark stripes present above and below the eye. UK breeding Reed Warblers are found in the greatest numbers in the East of England, and are a relatively recent frequent visitor to Northern Ireland. Male Reed Warblers arrive in the UK about three weeks before the females do, but the female still does all the work building the nest! Nests are cup-shaped and woven between reed stems, the week-long process sees the female weaving the cup from leaves and reed stems, and then lining it with soft materials like feathers and hair. Reed Warbler nests are a common choice for Cuckoos when looking for a place to lay their egg.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Oystercatcher 26, Eider Duck 4, Mute Swan 3, Little Egret 1, Common Gull 1, Herring Gull 26, Shelduck 3, Black-headed Gull 7, Hooded Crow 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull 5
Main lake - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 2 (with 1 duckling), Gadwall 5, Coot 3, Moorhen 3, Black-headed Gull 4, Little Grebe 4, Swallow, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Mistle Thrush, Jackdaw, Robin, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Wren, Pied Wagtail, Sedge Warbler
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Grey Heron 1, Shelduck 1, Cormorant 1, Mallard 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed Gull 4, House Martin, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Swallow
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mute Swan 2, Mallard 6 (with 3 ducklings), Black-headed Gull 4, Moorhen 1, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, Jackdaw, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Mallard 1, Black-headed Gull 4, Common Gull 4 (flying over)
Brickworks
Pied Wagtail, Woodpigeon, Robin, Willow Warbler, Jackdaw, Magpie, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Sedge Warbler, Greenfinch, Linnet, Song Thrush, Dunnock
Limestone Lake
Tufted Duck 6, Mallard 1, Moorhen 1, Little Grebe 1 (plus 1 chick), Swallow, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Blackcap, Common Tern 2
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Gadwall 1
Peninsula Field
Mallard 1, Blackbird
Woodland
Blue Tit, Magpie, Wren, Robin, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Chiff Chaff, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, House Sparrow
Sensory Garden
Swallow, Woodpigeon, Blackcap, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Mallard 3, Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren, Song Thrush, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch
