Recent Sightings 6th February 2023
As the tide rose up towards the reserve this morning, it bought more diving species into view. Great crested grebe were out in full costume, showing off their white necks and orange plumage, accompanied by Red-breasted mergansers and their spikey headdresses.
A Song thrush sang loudly on the path next to the Limestone Lake, letting its distinctive chorus ring out over the reserve. These melodic passerines are easy to identify by ear, as they sing repeating phrases, just like verses of a song!
The first Siskin (pictured) of the year at Castle Espie was also seen this morning! Siskin are attractive, small, yellow woodland birds, often found in conifer and mixed woodland feeding on seeds. Their numbers increase over the colder months as they are joined by migrants from Europe. Hopefully we’ll see more in the coming weeks!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Greenshank 4, Redshank 90, Oystercatcher 288, Black-tail godwit 13, Grey plover 12, Dunlin ~150, Hooded crow 2, Light-bellied brent goose 177, Shelduck 64, Cormorant 6, Great crested grebe 14, Red-breasted merganser 2, Eider 38, Curlew 121, Little egret 1, Lapwing 201, Herring gull 1, Wigeon 50
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Wigeon 1, Cormorant 3, Grey heron 1, Tufted duck 2, Teal 15, Mallard 56, Gadwall 24, Moorhen 3, Little egret 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Teal 53, Mallard 60, Jackdaw 1, Moorhen 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-tailed godwit 2, Redshank 1, Teal 13, Moorhen 5
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Teal 4, Moorhen 2, Mallard 3
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Mute swan 2, Redshank 3, Black-headed gull 1, Oystercatcher 1, Little grebe 3
Peninsular Saltmarsh
Redshank 3, Greenshank 1, Black-headed gull 1, Hooded crow 2
Brickworks
Jackdaw, Robin, Blackbird
Limestone Lake
Song thrush, Moorhen 2
Woodland
Bullfinch, Treecreeper, Blue tit, Great tit, Wood pigeon, Chaffinch, Hooded crow, Coal tit, Raven, Siskin
