Recent Sightings 24th July 2023
The bird of the week definitely goes to a lovely little visitor that was spotted by our placement student – a Common sandpiper (pictured). As the tide went out on Monday morning, this delicate, attractive wader flew into the Wadermarsh and spent time exploring the Shingle Bank. Common sandpipers can be seen in Northern Ireland during the summer months. They breed along loughs, lakes and rivers and have a distinctive flight, keeping low to the water and calling as they fly.
The Kingfishers were also about, chasing each other over the Freshwater Lagoon and flashing bright turquoise and orange in the sunshine. House martins and Swallows are filling our skies at the moment, and the gentle call of the secretive little Treecreeper can be heard as you make your winding way through the Liberties.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Lesser black-backed gull 3, Black-headed gull 4, Hooded crow 6, Little egret 4, Common gull 1, Oystercatcher 1, Redshank 1, Grey heron 1, Whimbrel 1, Common seal
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mute swan 2, Common sandpiper 1, Coot 3 (1 chick), Little grebe 2, Tufted duck 4, Mallard 59, Gadwall 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Moorhen 1, Shelduck 2, Gadwall 4, Mallard 9
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Shelduck 7, Moorhen 2, Little egret 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Gadwall 2, Mallard 8, Swallow 4, Moorhen 1, House martin 1, Wood pigeon 1, Kingfisher 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 1, Little egret 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Starling, Meadow pipit
Brickworks
Blue tit, Jackdaw,
Woodland
Jackdaw, Wood pigeon, Hooded crow, Dunnock, House martin, Blackbird, Mistle thrush, Robin, Great tit, Wren, Coal tit, Treecreeper
