Recent Sightings 30th June 2025
The following sightings were taken from the reserve at Castle Espie during a low tide. The bird of the week is the Reed Warbler. The Reed Warbler is a light brown warbler which breeds in the UK but spends its winters in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its rhythmic song can be heard coming from reed beds but it is very tricky to spot. Birdwatchers refer to birds like the Reed Warbler as ‘little brown jobs’, as there are many small brown birds found in the UK which are very difficult to tell apart visually, but their songs help skilled birdwatchers to distinguish them.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Mute Swan 2, Little Egret 1, Rook 10, Cormorant 2, Black-headed Gull 4, Lesser Black-backed Gull 3, Curlew 3, Oystercatcher 3, Herring Gull 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 27 adult and 6 ducklings, Moorhen 2, Coot 1, Little Grebe 2, Tufted Duck 2, Gadwall 2 adult and 13 ducklings, Swallow, Dunnock, Woodpigeon, , Greenfinch, Sedge Warbler,
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 95, Tufted Duck 1, Moorhen 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed Gull 1, Woodpigeon
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Black-headed Gull 1, Mallard 3, Moorhen 2, Mute Swan 2 adults and 3 ducklings, House Martin, Swallow, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Goldfinch
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Black-headed Gull 30, Common Tern 11, Little Grebe 1
Brickworks
Swallow
Limestone Lake
Grey Heron 1, Little Grebe 1, Dunnock
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Meadow Pipit
Peninsula Field
Swallow
Woodland
Blackbird, Robin, Goldcrest, Woodpigeon, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Long-eared Owl (3 owlets), Hooded Crow, Coal Tit, Spotted Flycatcher
Sensory Garden
Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Swallow, Coal Tit, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Long-tailed tit, Treecreeper, Great Tit, Rook (flying over), Jackdaw (flying over)
