Recent Sightings 6th June 2022
Some new ducklings to spot on the reserve this week – Gadwall! Gadwall (pictured) are a little smaller than Mallards, and sport a distinctive white patch on the wing. They nest in wetland habitats with abundant vegetation, so our Freshwater lagoon is the perfect habitat for them. See if you can spot them swimming between the islands from the Brent Hide and the Bridge over to the Crannóg.
Four Meadow pipit were seen at once on the Peninsular Saltmarsh which is a welcome sight. These little passerines have been declining since the 1970s so it’s good to see Castle Espie providing a home and some suitable breeding habitats for them.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Lesser black-backed gull 2, Shelduck 2, Oystercatcher 12, Little egret 3, Herring gull 11, Cormorant 5, Hooded crow 1, Jackdaw 1, Curlew 2, Common gull 1, Redshank 3, Black-headed gull 60, Common seal 11
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mute swan 2, Black-headed gull 6, Shelduck 2 (7 ducklings), Moorhen 2, Mallard 2, Gadwall 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Black-headed gull 6, Greylag goose 4 (7 goslings)
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 4, Mallard 2, Jackdaw 2, Wood pigeon 1, Grey heron 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Sedge warbler, Coot 3, Moorhen 2, Gadwall 7 (4 ducklings), Shelduck 1, Mallard 13, Black-headed gull 17, Swallow, Blue tit, Wren, Chaffinch
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Shelduck 2 (11 ducklings), Greylag goose 1, Black-headed gull 48, Redshank 10, Greater black-backed gull 1 (flying)
Brickworks
Song thrush, Moorhen 1, Black-headed gull 1, Jackdaw 2, Wood pigeon 1, Blackbird 1, Linnet 4
Limestone Lake
Wood pigeon 2, Jackdaw 1, Black-headed gull 10
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-tailed godwit 1, Greylag goose 1, Black-headed gull 1, Meadow pipit 4
Peninsula Field
Woodland
Goldcrest, Great tit, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Robin, Robin (fledgling), Magpie, Blackcap, Chiffchaff
