News
Wildlife sightings - 28/08/18
a.m. Tide Level: Low Wader Lake Stock dove 3 Eurasian teal 21 Lapwing 171 Avocet 2 (1 ad / 1 juv) Grey heron 2 Black-tailed godwit 3 Snipe 5 Dunlin 2 Redshank 1 Green Sandpiper 1 Swallow 1 Saline Lagoon Grey heron 2 Eurasian teal 4 Lapwing 2 Hawthorn Wood
28 August 2018
Today's sightings
Mute swan Whooper swan Barnacle goose Greylag Shoveler Gadwall Mallard Garganey Teal Coot Moorhen Avocet Common sandpiper Ruff Black tailed godwit Crane x17 Spoonbill x3 (Lyle) Little egret Little ringed plover Starling Swallow House martin Pied wagtail Y
28 August 2018
Wildlife sightings for 28th August 2018
3 House Sparrow - South route feeders, main courtyard (by snakes and ladders) 1 Garganey - wader scrape 1 Common Sandpiper - main lake 2 Common Tern - main lake 5 Snipe - wader scrape, main lake 1 Whinchat - wader scrape 2 Peregrine - perched on the hos
28 August 2018
Migrant stopping off while moving southward
Sand martins continue stopping by on their migration south. Pic: Geoff Warminger Surprise find was a Nightjar which had chosen the reedbed to roost during the day (on a dead willow branch) whilst on its southerly migr
27 August 2018
30 Ruff
South Lake The juvenile Common Tern still visiting the lake and scrape. On the deep lake the Great Crested Grebe youngster continues to beg for food but should be finding it's own fish now, only one parent seems to be present, perhaps the other has had e
27 August 2018
Mixed Review for Sustainable Drainage
The Government has published its review of whether new major developments are adding to flood risk or not. The key is whether current law encourages them to design ways to handle heavy rainfall onsite, rather than pour it down already overloaded drainage
27 August 2018
Today's sightings
Mute swan Whooper swan Barnacle goose Canada goose Greylag Mallard Garganey Teal Cormorant Coot Little grebe Moorhen Black-tailed godwit Ruff (x2) Snipe Common sandpiper Little-ringed plover Lapwing Starling House martin Swallow Pied wagtail Yellow wagtai
27 August 2018
Recent Sightings €- 27th August 2018
The following sightings were recorded today at Low tide from the reserve at Castle Espie. Lots to see at the minute while we all eagerly await the return of the Brent Geese to Strangford Lough. Goldfinches are a hive of activity in the Brickworks, flocks
27 August 2018
Wildlife sightings 27/08/18
a.m. mid tide Wader Lake Lapwing 210 Teal 21 Redshank 6 Snipe 3 Grey heron Swallow Shelduck Avocet Green sandpiper Saline lagoon Lapwing 4 Teal 7 Grey heron Curlew Hawthorn Wood Blue tit 5 Great tit 5 Coal tit Willow tit Robin Sparrowhawk (male) Greenfinc
27 August 2018
Wildlife sightings for 27th August 2018
1 Garganey - wader scrape 1 Common Sandpiper - main lake 2 Common Tern - main lake 2 Snipe - wader scrape 4 Little Grebe + 3 chicks - main lake 1 Swallow - reservoir lagoon 12 Swift - reservoir lagoon 15 Sand Martin - reservoir lagoon 40 House Martin - re
27 August 2018
Merlin
The first Merlin of the autumn was seen over the Mere and then later from Ron Barker hide, also a Peregrine and 2-3 Sparrowhawk including two birds sat together. A Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 24 Ruff, 300 Lapwing and 20+ Snipe were counted on s
26 August 2018
Birding in the rain
Rushy Hide Ruff, 3 Snipe, 7 Avocet and 3 Green Sandpiper on the lower pond. Grey Heron, Little Grebe and 10+ Gadwall on the top pond. Tack Piece Six Black-tailed Godwit and the juvenile Spotted Redshank (see image) popped in a couple of times. 20+ Teal a
26 August 2018
Today's Highlights
Spoonbill (ringed) at Lyle hide Little egret Grey heron Cormorant Moorhen Coot Little ringed plover juv-2 Ringed plover juv-1 Common sandpiper-2 Green sandpiper Snipe at Friends hide Avocet Little grebe Black tailed godwit-6 Ruff-2 Dunlin-1 Lapwing Mallar
26 August 2018
Wildlife sightings for 26th August 2018
1 Marsh Harrier (female) - quartered the marsh for 10 minutes before dropping into the middle field 1 Garganey - wader scrape 2 Yellow Wagtail - grazing marsh 1 Common Sandpiper - main lake 5 Snipe - wader scrape, main lake, grazing marsh 2 Common Tern -
26 August 2018
Hobby
A few sightings of at least 1 Hobby a 2nd cal yr bird today, also the large juv female Peregrine was seen chasing a Snipe on site. A juv Marsh Harrier has been seen a few times around the reserve today as well Buzzard, Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk.
25 August 2018