Recent Sightings 3rd April 2023
There was a receding tide this morning as the mudflats of Strangford Lough were exposed to speedy waders and hungry geese – with small numbers of Brent still feeding on the Estuary before leaving and Shelduck starting to pair off together.
Large groups of Black-tailed godwit (pictured) are now coming into the Reserve to roost on the Shingle Bank at high tide. You can get a spectacular view of these elegant waders from both the Garden Hide in the Sensory Garden and from the Brent Hide. Black-tailed godwits sport beautiful breeding plumage of a rusty orange chest and belly, many of which are already showing off these beautiful colours at Castle Espie. These waders are very similar in appearance to the closely related Bar-tailed godwit, but Black-tails are taller and have distinctive wing and tail patterns when in flight.
The Woodland also delivered on spring song today as a Chiffchaff was seen down at the Swamp singing out it’s distinctive “chiff chaff chiff chaff” melody. Some individuals are here all year round, but both residents and migrants start singing from the end of February so they’re a little easier to spot - just follow the song!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Light-bellied brent goose 32, Wigeon 6, Shelduck 12, Redshank 22, Great-crested grebe 2, Black-headed gull 16, Herring gull 1, Curlew 86, Oystercatcher 10
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 20, Teal 4, Gadwall 2, Tufted duck 2, Black-headed gull 34, Moorhen 1, Mute swan 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Black-headed gull 238, Cormorant 1, Gadwall 4, Redshank 3, Teal 15, Black-tail godwit 1078
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 26, Redshank 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 9, Little egret 1, Black-headed gull 15, Lesser black-backed gull 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 1
Peninsular Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 2, Shelduck 2, Teal 2
Peninsular Field
Mallard 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 2, Robin
Limestone Lake
Wood pigeon, Blackbird
Woodland
Blue tit, Great tit, Chaffinch, Wren, Blackbird, Robin, Wood pigeon, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Coal tit, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff
