Recent Sightings 22nd August 2022

23 August 2022

Despite the rainy weather on Monday, the Kingfisher was out fishing on the Main Lake in the early morning. If they’re about, they’re easily spotted from the Garden Hide in the Sensory Garden which is a great place for taking photos. Widgeon (pictured) are a lovely, small dabbling duck to look out for amongst the large numbers of Greylag geese often resting on the Shingle Bank.

Curlew were out on the Estuary, probing the mudflats for food. They are similar to Whimbrel, but are larger and have a much longer bill. Curlew have been rapidly declining in the UK so it’s nice to see them feeding out on the Lough.

Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory

Lesser black-backed gull 2, Oystercatcher 231, Black-headed gull 51, Curlew 8, Herring gull 2, Cormorant 33, Eider 30, Mute swan 3, Little egret 3, Great crested grebe 1

Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Kingfisher 1, Little egret 3, Mute swan 4, Cormorant 2, Greylag goose 43, Tufted duck 5, Little grebe 1, Widgeon 1, Mallard 71, Moorhen 4, Black-headed gull 2, Common gull 1, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Oystercatcher 4

Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Greylag goose 16, Oystercatcher 106, Black-headed gull 24, Moorhen 1, Common gull 6, Black-tailed godwit 11

Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide

Greylag goose 6, Moorhen 1, Black-headed gull 3, Woodpigeon, Great tit, Wren, Dunnock

Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg

Mute swan 2, Grey heron 1, Mallard 4, Black-tailed godwit 3, Moorhen 5, Swallow

Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory

Little grebe 3, Black-headed gull 3, Mallard 1

Brickworks

Goldfinch approx. 40

Limestone Lake

Mallard 1