Recent Sightings 10th June 2024
The tide was far out for this morning’s count around the Reserve, meaning the majority of the birds visible on the Lough’s mudflats were gulls – from the small, gregarious Black-headed gull to the large, formidable Greater black-back. The latter are impressively hefty birds and are the largest gulls in the world. They can be distinguished from Lesser black-backed gulls by their darker wing feathers and pink legs.
The male Sparrowhawk was seen posing in the sunshine on the Limestone Grassland fence, giving visitors an incredible view from the Limekiln Observatory of this speedy and elusive bird of prey. Sparrowhawks are a relatively small predator, the male of the species being smaller than its female counterpart, and are adapted to hunt in dense woodland – so seeing one out in the open is a rare glimpse at this beautiful bird!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Oystercatcher 1, Little egret 1, Mute swan 6, Lesser black-backed gull 3, Black-headed gull 14, Herring gull 2, Greater black-backed gull 3, Shelduck 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 19, Mute swan 2, Little egret 1, Grey heron 1, Moorhen 3 (6 chicks), Gadwall 3 (10 ducklings), Black-headed gull 12, Tufted duck 3, Coot 2 (3 chicks), Robin, Blue tit, Chaffinch, Pied wagtail
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Grey heron 1, Mallard 32, Gadwall 4, Shelduck 2 (9 ducklings), Black-headed gull 9, Moorhen 2, Greylag goose 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
House martin 4, Jackdaw 6, Swallow 2, Black-headed gull 4
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Gadwall 2 (4 ducklings), Swallow 2, Moorhen 2 (1 chick), Coot 1, Hooded crow 1, Wren 1, Jackdaw 4, Sedge warbler 2, Lapwing 1 (flying over), Starling 6 (flying over)
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Mallard 2, Cormorant 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Shelduck 2, Hooded crow 1
Peninsula Field
Meadow pipit 1, Dunnock 1
Brickworks
Sparrowhawk 1, Linnet 2, Meadow pipit 1, Jackdaw 1, Hooded crow 1, Blackbird 4
Limestone Lake
Tufted duck 1 (4 ducklings), Black-headed gull 2, Willow warbler
Woodland
Robin, Chaffinch, Wren, Great tit, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Blackcap
