Recent Sightings 8th December 2025
The following sightings were taken from the reserve at Castle Espie during a rising tide. The bird of the week is the Redpoll. The Redpoll is a small finch with a short yellow beak and a red patch on the top of its head, the rest of the bird is a streaked brown, and the males have a rosy wash on their breast. Historically the Redpoll was split into three species; the Artic, Common and Lesser Redpoll. The birds seen in the UK are generally Common Redpoll winter visitors, with the Lesser form being rarer. There was a long debate over whether this bird should remain split into three species or be amalgamated into one, it was finally settled in 2021. Genetic analyses revealed that there is a structural difference on chromosome 1 between the three types (which happens to affect plumage colour and beak size), but essentially they are genetically the same and can interbreed. These colour variations are thought to be maintained as individuals will generally mate with other birds that look similar to them (and heterozygous individuals can have reduced fertility). However, there is also probably environmental selection involved, for example Arctic Redpoll are found at higher latitudes and are whiter in colour with a smaller bill like other birds in these areas.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Dunlin c.100, Oystercatcher 270, Curlew 5, Redshank 70, Greenshank 7, Great Black-backed Gull 1, Lapwing (flying over) 50, Herrin Gull 4, Black-headed Gull 6, Common Gull 2, Little Egret 4, Shelduck 40, Eider Duck 2, Wigeon 21, Hooded Crow 2, Red-breasted Merganser 2, Turnstone 5, Great Crested Grebe 1, Goldeneye 2, Brent Goose 102, Knot 12
Main lake - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 117, Tufted Duck 6, Coot 1, Moorhen 2, Gadwall 6, Teal 28, Scaup (Female) 1, Grey Heron 1 Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Redpoll, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Mistle Thrush
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 64, Hooded Crow 1, Gadwall 17, Moorhen 2, Teal 26
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Little Egret 1, Moorhen 2, Gadwall 21, Teal 34
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 2, Mallard 9, Wren
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 3, Redshank 1, Little Egret 1
Brickworks
Meadow pipit, Goldfinch, robin, blackbird, stonechat
Limestone Lake
Little Grebe 1, Goldcrest, Woodpigeon, Blackbird
Peninsula Saltmarsh
No birds seen
Peninsula Field
Pheasant 1
Woodland
Raven, Robin, Woodpigeon, Wren, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue tit, Blackbird, Bullfinch
Sensory Garden
Wren, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Pied Wagtail, Coal Tit, Grey Wagtail, Long-tailed Tit, Bullfinch
