Recent Sightings 25th September 2023
A windy morning on the reserve didn’t deter the birds as they fished on the Estuary and sheltered on the Main Lake. Both Sandwich and Common terns were out over Strangford Lough, skillfully gliding through the wind and diving for fish in the cold waters. Common terns have red legs and beaks with a black tip, whereas Sandwich terns have black legs and beak with a yellow tip.
The Sparrowhawk (pictured) was also taking to the skies, surveying the Main Lake and Shingle Bank. Sparrowhawks are relatively small raptors, with both genders sporting distinctive brown bars on their chest and belly. They prey on small birds and usually stick to Woodland habitats, so it’s great to see them out and about on the Reserve.
Large groups of Starlings are also being seen over the Brickworks lately, sharing the skies with flocks of Goldfinch. Buzzards also were spotted flying high over the Woodland and venturing further out onto the reserve.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Light-bellied brent goose 348, Little egret 3, Black-headed gull 3, Wigeon 40, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Curlew 15, Eider 103, Cormorant 22, Redshank 1, Herring gull 2, Oystercatcher ~500, Sandwich tern 6, Common tern 6, Grey heron 1, Jackdaw 2, Great crested grebe 2, Common seal 4
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Tufted duck 3, Little grebe 1, Coot 3, Teal 18, Mallard 120, Grey heron 1, Jackdaw 30, Shoveler 2, Moorhen 5, Gadwall 2, Little egret 7, Hooded crow 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Blue tit, Coal tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Greylag goose 25, Mallard 28, Moorhen 4, Teal 52
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 3, Little egret 1, Black-headed gull 14, Common gull 2, Teal 48, Swallow 4
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Wigeon 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Greenshank 11, Little grebe 4, Little egret 1, Blackbird
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Hooded crow 2, Jackdaw 2
Brickworks
Starling ~200, Goldfinch ~30, Jackdaw 2
Limestone Lake
Black-headed gull 1, Jackdaw 3, Cormorant 1, Wood pigeon 1
Woodland
Buzzard 2, Long-tailed tit, Robin, Blue tit
