Recent Sightings 20th March 2023
Daffodils and Wood sorrel are starting to bloom and the Black-headed gulls (pictured) have started prospecting nest sites on the islands within the reserve. Black-headed gulls are the UK’s commonest inland gull, but they nest near water on saltmarshes, islands and reservoirs in large, gregarious colonies. They are a Northern Ireland Priority species, so it’s great to welcome them back to Castle Espie in such large numbers.
The Kingfisher was out on the Main Lake, as were a pair of Shelduck and Tufted ducks. Song thrushes are starting to sing out in the Woodland and on the Brickworks with their distinctive, ‘song-like’ verses. This melodic tune is an easy way to distinguish them from the very similar, in appearance, Mistle Thrush which has a soft blackbird-style song and a fast rattling call.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Eider 17, Black-headed gull 22, Teal 12, Goldeneye 6, Greenshank 1, Oystercatcher 244, Dunlin ~120, Black-tailed godwit 81, Turnstone 5, Redshank 24, Shelduck 20, Little egret 1, Curlew 12, Light-bellied brent goose 16
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Moorhen 1, Kingfisher 1, Black-headed gull 1, Shelduck 2, Tufted duck 3, Mallard 15, Teal 4
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Black-headed gull 257, Jackdaw 2, Teal 16, Moorhen 2, Black-tailed godwit 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 46, Teal 7, Redshank 2, Gadwall 4, Moorhen 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Teal 6, Mallard 6, Black-headed gull 37, Moorhen 4, Lesser black-backed gull 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Gadwall 16, Mallard 2, Moorhen 1, Black-headed gull 10, Teal 4
Peninsular Saltmarsh
Shelduck 2, Redshank 1, Greenshank 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 4, Song thrush 2, Goldfinch 3, Meadow pipit 2, Robin, Blackbird
Limestone Lake
Mallard 1, Moorhen 1, Black-headed gull 2, Wood pigeon
Woodland
Wood pigeon, Song thrush, Long tailed tit, Robin, Dunnock, Great tit, Chaffinch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Blackbird, Blue tit, Wren, Sparrowhawk