Recent Sightings 28th August 2023

31 August 2023

Plovers are returning to Strangford Lough – Ringed plover and Grey plover (pictured) were seen feeding on the mudflats, looking for small invertebrates and crustaceans. Ringed plover are resident here, however they are joined by wintering birds from Europe so you’re more likely to see higher numbers of them over the colder months. Grey plover are a winter migrant, arriving here with some still sporting their summer plumage – a jet black belly extending all the way up to the face. Over winter, though, they will lose this breeding attire and be a slivery blend of grey and white feathers.

Two Shoveler ducks were sifting through the shallow water at the Main Lake edge with their specialized bills – their flattened ‘shovel-shaped’ beaks help them filter out small insects and plants, aided by fine sieve-like bristles that allow the water to pass through.

In the morning sunshine, the Kingfisher surveyed and kept watch over Saline Lagoon from its perch, looking for small fish to snap up.

Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory

Mute swan 5, Common gull 9, Swallow 4, Black-headed gull 5, Lesser-black-backed gull 1, Greater black-backed gull 2, Herring gull 6, Great crested grebe 1, Little egret 8, Grey plover 3, Ringed plover 1, Oystercatcher 210

Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Little egret 14, Grey heron 1, Moorhen 2, Mallard 173, Shoveler 2, Little grebe 4, Coot 4, Teal 4, Tufted duck 4, Gadwall 4, Wigeon 3, Swallow 2, Raven 1

Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Greylag goose 48, Black-tailed godwit 2, Black-headed gull 50, Mallard 52

Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide

Moorhen 1, Black-tailed godwit 3, Teal 11, House martin 2, Little egret 1, Robin 1

Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg

Mallard 9, Moorhen 4

Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory

Kingfisher 1, Little grebe 1, Mallard 3, Moorhen 1

Peninsula Saltmarsh

Little egret 2, Meadow pipit 2, Magpie, Blackbird, Starling ~100

Brickworks

Jackdaw 5, Swallow 2, Wren