Recent Sightings 4th June 2018
The following sightings were recorded today at low-tide from the reserve at Castle Espie. Lot of baby birds to spot at Castle Espie at the minute, not just the Black-headed gulls! Mallards, moorhens, coots, but the big highlight are the eight white and brown Shelduck duckings! Very easy to see staying close to Mum and Dad on the Freshwater Lagoon.
Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Black-headed Gull 16, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Oystercatcher 1, Moorhen 1
Main lake – visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 55, Tufted duck 5, Black-headed gull 62, Moorhen 1, Greylag 5 + goslings 6, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Shelduck 2, Teal 3
Shingle bank – visible from Sensory garden, Wadermarsh and Visitor centre
Lesser black-backed gull 3, Black-headed gull 11, Mallard 15, Coot 2, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Tufted duck 2, Oystercatcher 13
Wadermarsh – visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 5, Shelduck 1, Moorhen 1
Freshwater Lagoon – visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Shelduck 2 + young 8, Mallard 22, Coot 3, Black-headed gull c.140 + many chicks!, Tufted duck 4, Mute swan 2, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Moorhen 1, Gadwall 2, Shoveler 1, Black-tailed Godwit 2, Grey Heron 1
Female Common Shelduck with chick. Keep an eye out for the whole family from the Crannog hide!
Saline Lagoon – visible from Limekiln observatory
Black-headed gull 1, Greylag 1
Limestone Lake
Black-headed gull 1, Mallard 5,
Peninsula Field and Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 1
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Wood pigeon, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Black Cap
Butterflies on the reserve
Green-veined white, Small White, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Peacock, Common Blue
