Recent Sightings 8th September 2025
The following sightings were taken from the reserve at Castle Espie during a rising tide. The Bullfinch is the bird of the week. Male bullfinches have an unmistakable red chest and cheeks whilst the female is a more muted pinkish-brown colour. These birds are resident all year round and their diet consists of seeds foraged near hedgerows and leaf buds from trees. Bullfinches are normally seen in pairs, and they are thought to mate for life.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Herring Gull 3, Curlew 75, Oystercatcher c. 350, Common Gull 22, Lesser-black backed Gull 2, Black-headed Gull 49, Little egret 4, Light-bellied brent geese 180, Eider 14, Cormorant 4, Hooded Crow 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mute Swan 4 (3 cygnets), Mallard 166, Coot 2, Gadwall 2, Little Grebe 3, Wigeon 1 (male), Moorhen 4, Teal 34, Shoveler 1 (female), Black-headed gull 4, Tufted duck 3, Little Egret 10, Common Gull 8, Herring Gull 2, Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Swallow, Jackdaw, Rook, Grey Heron 1, Grey Wagtail 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Moorhen, Teal 24, Mallard 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Teal 5, Redshank 3, Black-headed Gull 2, Little Egret 1, Kingfisher 1, Mallard 1, Swallow, Robin
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 8, Mute Swan 1, Mallard 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 4, Kingfisher 1
Brickworks
Goldfinch c. 40, Swallow
Limestone Lake
Blackbird, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Little Grebe 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
No birds seen
Woodland
Raven 2, Buzzard 1, Bullfinch, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Woodpigeon
Sensory Garden
Robin, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Great Tit
