Recent Sightings 9th February 2026
The following sightings were taken from the reserve at Castle Espie during a receding tide. The bird of the week is the Jackdaw. The Jackdaw is the smallest crow found in the UK, with a wingspan of 70cm. They are slate grey with a black cap, a grey head and striking light-grey eyes. These birds feed and roost communally. Jackdaw nests can look very large, however, this is because birds tend to build their new nest on top of the previous year's one. Jackdaws will nest in tree crevices, but also in chimneys and similar structures in cities. Their population has been increasing in the UK because they are not picky eaters so can live in most habitats, they will eat fruit, carrion, insects and also food scraps in urban areas. Jackdaws are very intelligent and have been shown to recognise individual people by their faces. They also have a complex social structure, where unpaired females are the lowest-ranked, but will rise to the rank of their mate when they pair up.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Mute Swan 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1, Shelduck 117, Brent 84, Redshank 6, Knot 27, Dunlin 2, Wigeon 10, Little Egret 3, Hooded Crow 2, Common Gull 2, Curlew 4, Oystercatcher 40, Herring Gull 12
Main lake - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Moorhen 5, Mallard 18, Teal 18, Gadwall 1, Tufted Duck 1, Little Egret 1, Kingfisher 1, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Jackdaw 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Teal 48, Mallard 30, Gadwall 2, Moorhen 1, Cormorant 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Redshank 7, Teal 7, Gadwall 4, Greenshank 3, Black-headed Gull 1, Kingfisher 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 2, Mallard 8, Teal 6, Gadwall 4, Song Thrush
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 2
Brickworks
Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin
Limestone Lake
Little Grebe 1, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Shelduck 2, Black-headed Gull 1
Peninsula Field
Magpie 1, Jackdaw 2, Heron 1, Robin, Blackbird
Woodland
Mistle, Great Tit, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Wren, Coal Tit, Blue Tit
Sensory Garden
Blackbird, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Chaffinch , Woodpigeon, Magpie, Robin, Wren, Goldcrest
