Recent Sightings 26th September 2022
Despite the strong winds this morning, there were still some interesting birds to view out on the reserve – and all from the shelter of at least one of our hides! A small group of female Northern shoveler were feeding on the banks of the Main Lake, easily visible from the Garden Hide and the Collection area. The females are more muted colours than the brightly dressed males, but still have that distinctive, wide, shovel-shaped beak for sifting through the water for plants, invertebrates and seeds.
With autumn well on it’s way, the Goldfinch (pictured) are making the most of the seed heads left on the Brickworks. You’ll often catch them feeding on the tall Scabious and Teasel plants in large groups. They can form flocks of up to 100 individuals, and with their striking golden wing patches and bright red faces, it’s no wonder their collective noun is a ‘charm’!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Oystercatcher 179, Brent goose 1688, Black-headed gull 19, Common gull 5, Eider 54, Little egret 12, Curlew 52, Black-tailed godwit 3, Herring gull 4, Mute swan 1, Great crested grebe 1, Hooded crow 3, Buzzard 1, Raven 2, Grey heron 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mute swan 2, Teal 87, Mallard 110, Little grebe 4, Tufted duck 5, Grey heron 1, Little egret 2, Northern shoveler 5, Greylag goose 38, Pink-footed goose 1, Gadwall 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 3, Black-headed gull 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mute swan 2, Coot 2, Moorhen 1, Mallard 1, Teal 1, Little grebe 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 9, Little egret 1
Brickworks
Goldfinch approx. 30, Robin 1
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Peninsula Field
Woodland
Great tit, Robin, Blue tit, Goldfinch, Wren, Coal tit, Rook, Blackbird, Goldcrest
