Recent Sightings 20th October 2025
The following sightings were taken from the reserve at Castle Espie during a rising tide. The bird of the week this week is the Stonechat. These birds are robin-sized and have similar colouring. Males have a red breast with a white collar and a dark head and wings, females are a more muted colour, with an orange chest and a brown head and wings. These birds mainly eat insects, which they will catch in mid-air or obtain from the ground. Stonechats like to stand on low perches like fence posts or bushes where they can get a good view of their prey. They are known for their unique call which sounds like two stones being tapped together.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent Goose 1223, Turnstone c.25, Wigeon 346, Eider 41, Black-headed Gull 7, Dunlin 3, Redshank 1, Shelduck 1, Little Egret 13, Red Breasted Merganser 12, Goldeneye 4, Great Crested Grebe 17, Cormorant 30, Oystercatcher c.350
Main lake - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Pintail 1, Tufted Duck 2, Shoveler 1, Gadwall 6, Moorhen 2, Mallard 80, Little Grebe 1, Grey Heron 1, Scaup 1, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Jackdaw
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 100, Jackdaw 7, Little Egret 2, Teal 23, Gadwall 6
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Teal 8, Oystercatcher 3, Little Egret 1, Mute Swan 1, Greenshank 1, Robin, Pied Wagtail
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 3, Teal 11, Mallard 3
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 4, Cormorant 1
Brickworks
Goldfinch c. 25, Meadow Pipit 2, Starling 26, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Robin
Limestone Lake
No birds seen
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed Gull 1, Redshank 1, Linnet 10, Stonechat 2, Reed Bunting 2, Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock
Peninsula Field
No birds seen
Woodland
Chaffinch, Robin, Goldcrest
Sensory Garden
Pied Wagtail, Robin, Wren, Long Tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Jackdaw
