Recent Sightings 13th February 2023
The tide was way out this morning for our weekly count, dragging most of the waders down the lough as they chased the receding waterline. However, we were treated to a large group of Golden plover reaching approximately 1000 individuals. The Golden plover is smaller than the closely related Grey plover and Lapwing, and it lives up to its regal name when seen in the sunlight.
Clearly a morning for Plovers! Lapwing (pictured) were out feeding on the mudflats as well alongside their golden relatives. These pretty waders are easily identified by the bold black band around the chest and, when in flight, the distinctive rounded edges of their wings. Lapwing are a priority species due to their huge decline in numbers mainly because of changes in agricultural practices, loss of breeding grounds and loss of wetland habitats so it’s always nice to see them in large flocks out on Strangford Lough.
It was nice to see a small flock of Greylag geese flying over Freshwater Lagoon from the direction of the estuary. Many Greylags come to the reserve in the Springtime and Castle Espie is over-run with goslings – just wait and see!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Oystercatcher 72, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Redshank 4, Curlew 7, Herring gull 4, Light-bellied brent goose 180, Shelduck 88, Lapwing 90, Hooded crow 2, Greater black-backed gull 1, Little egret 1, Golden plover ~1000
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 44, Tufted duck 12, Little egret 2, Teal 21, Moorhen 3, Cormorant 1, Kingfisher 1, Shoveler 2, Gadwall 27
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Teal 25, Mallard 37, Cormorant 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 7, Black-tailed godwit 3, Mute swan 2, Little egret 1, Teal 40, Redshank 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 23, Teal 6, Moorhen 3, Greylag goose 24 (flying over)
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 2, Redshank 1, Greenshank 1, Teal 2
Peninsular Saltmarsh
Redshank 2, Black-headed gull 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 6, Blackbird 1, Wood pigeon 1
Limestone Lake
Cormorant 1
Woodland
Robin, Mistle thrush, Blackbird, Great tit, Wren, Goldfinch, Blue tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Wood pigeon, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Long tailed tit
