Recent Sightings 21st November 2022
This morning was incredibly windy and rainy out on the reserve and therefore, coupled with a high tide, there wasn’t much to see out on the Estuary! All the Brent were tucked away against the gales in sheltered bays but the tide did bring in a nice group of roosting Curlew to the Peninsular Saltmarsh. Curlew are a species which have decreased drastically in the last few decades due to habitat fragmentation and changes in agricultural practices so it’s great to see them making use of the habitats Castle Espie has to offer.
We also had a small group of Gadwall (pictured) on the Main Lake amongst the Teal and Mallard. There’s only a small population of resident Gadwall in Northern Ireland, with their increase in numbers over the colder months being attributed to wintering individuals. They are a delicate little dabbling duck, feeding on aquatic vegetation and seeds.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Shelduck 4, Eider 6, Light-bellied brent goose 3, Widgeon 8, Great crested grebe 3
Pier – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Oystercatcher ~250, Knot 21, Dunlin 6, Little egret 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 23, Gadwall 6, Northern shoveler 1, Teal 9, Little egret 4, Grey heron 1, Tufted duck 1, Moorhen 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 65, Teal 31, Redshank 1, Little egret 1, Moorhen 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Little egret 1, Teal 15, Moorhen 10, Redshank 4, Oystercatcher 8
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Teal 29, Mute swan 2, Mallard 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 11, Redshank 1
Brickworks
Limestone Lake
Grey heron 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Curlew 52, Little egret 1, Shelduck 4, Redshank 1, Hooded crow 1
Peninsula Field
Woodland
Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Blackbird, Magpie, Robin, Great tit, Coal tit, Wren
