Recent Sightings 21st Feb 2022
The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a low tide. A group of Eider ducks are often a reliable sight bobbing up and down with the waves out on the lough, easily visible from both the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory. This week, they did not disappoint! They are the UK’s heaviest duck and are also, surprisingly, our fastest flying duck. They are famed for their soft down feathers, which the female uses to line their nest. The Green-winged teal was spotted again on the Wader Marsh alongside the very similar Common teal. The Brent hide offers the best viewpoint for this habitat, and gives you a good chance to try and spot the Green-wing. About 200 Black-tailed godwits were spotted out on the Estuary, birds which often form large groups when out feeding on the mudflats. These elegant birds are monogamous and can form breeding pairs for up to 25 years! They are classified as Red under Birds of Conservation Concern, so it’s a pleasure to see them on Strangford Lough from our hides here. They are similar in size and shape to Curlew, but the easiest way to tell them apart is their slightly upturned beak, as opposed to the Curlews famously down curved beak.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Herring gull 3, Oystercatcher 251, Redshank 56, Light-bellied brent goose 55, Black-headed gull 45, Shelduck 1, Knot ~350, Eider 16, Common gull 1, Lesser black-backed gull 4, Curlew 6, Black-tailed godwit ~ 200, Hooded crow 2, Dunlin 40, Golden plover 50 (flying past)
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 34, Teal 21, Little egret 1, Goldeneye 1, Gadwall 2, Wood pigeon 1, Raven 2 (flying over)
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 16, Teal 7, Redshank 1, Cormorant 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 4, Greenshank 3, Gadwall 8, Teal 91, Mallard 2, Green-winged teal 1, Hooded crow 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Redshank 2, Greenshank 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 4
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Peninsula Field
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Chaffinch, Great tit, Siskin, Robin, Wood pigeon, Coal tit, Blue tit, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Bullfinch
