Recent Sightings 26th June 2023
Bright blue skies and a cool breeze on the reserve today after thunderstorms, rain and lightning yesterday! The sunshine bought a Kingfisher out of hiding, making the most of the perfect fishing weather and spying over the Main Lake for small fish. The Turtle Hide in the Sensory Garden gives a great view of everything on the Main Lake, especially any new chicks and ducklings testing out their swimming skills!
A small group of Wigeon (pictured) was seen out on the Main Lake as well, a visitor we would normally not expect to see until later on in the year. Wigeon are an attractive dabbling duck, with the males sporting a distinctive pale stripe over the top of the head. They winter in the UK, although there are small numbers of resident and breeding populations, and feed on grasses and aquatic plants.
There were lots of Oystercatcher and Black-tailed godwit out on the Estuary, taking advantage of the receding tide and feeding on the mudflats of Strangford Lough as they re-emerged from beneath the water.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Little egret 4, Black-headed gull 12, Jackdaw 25, Black-tailed godwit 38, Oystercatcher 34, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Curlew 1, Mute swan 1, Grey heron 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Little grebe 2, Mute swan 2, Coot 2, Moorhen 3 (4 chicks), Mallard 45, Tufted duck 2, Gadwall 3 (4 ducklings), Wigeon 3, Shoveler 1, Kingfisher 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Shelduck 2 (7 ducklings), Black-headed gull 1, House sparrow
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Mallard 3, Redshank 1, Little egret 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Black-headed gull 7, Gadwall 1 (3 ducklings), Mallard 7, Moorhen 1, Sedge warbler 1, Swallow 3 (4 fledglings)
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Mallard 3, Black-headed gull 26, Blue tit
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Meadow pipit 3
Brickworks
Jackdaw 25, Hooded crow 1, Blackbird, Wood pigeon
Limestone Lake
Black-headed gull 2
Woodland
Chaffinch, Robin, Goldcrest, Great tit, Blackbird, Wren, Blue tit, Wood pigeon
