Recent Sightings 15th May 2023
The tide was in for this morning’s count, bringing a small group of Light-bellied brent geese to float just outside the Brent Hide windows on the waters of Strangford Lough. As the mudflats were underwater, the Shingle Bank and Wadermarsh welcomed in large numbers of roosting Oystercatcher (pictured) and Black-tailed godwits as they waited for their feeding grounds to become accessible again. Mediterranean gulls were also seen on the Shingle amongst the throngs of Black-headed gulls. Med gulls are slightly larger than Black-headed gulls, with a fully black hood and bright red legs.
A lone Whimbrel was out on the Peninsula Saltmarsh – a passage migrant, these attractive waders are very similar in appearance to the Curlew but are slightly smaller in all aspects. They breed in Scotland, and winter in Africa, so can be seen throughout Northern Ireland as they pass through. They have a very distinctive call – as eerie as the Curlews, but very different sounding.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Little egret 2, Herring gull 5, Black-headed gull 2, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Shelduck 1, Light-bellied brent goose 22
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Lesser black-backed gull 2, Moorhen 2 (3 chicks), Coot 2, Mallard 17 (2 ducklings), Gadwall 2, Tufted duck 2, Hooded crow 2, Buzzard 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Black-headed gull 347, Mediterranean gull 4, Gadwall 2, Jackdaw 2, Oystercatcher 292
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-tailed godwit 92, Oystercatcher 40, Black-headed gull 94, Moorhen 2, Shelduck 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 11, Coot 1, Black-headed gull 178, Gadwall 1, Moorhen 2 (1 chick), Lesser black-backed gull, Sedge warbler 2, Swallow
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Common tern 4, Tufted duck 1, Mallard 2, Little egret 1, Black-headed gull 16, Blackbird
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 2, Shelduck 2, Whimbrel 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 4
Limestone Lake
Mute swan 2, Black-headed gull 12, Mallard 1 (7 ducklings), Grey heron 1
Woodland
Robin, Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Hooded crow, Swallow, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Blackcap
