Recent Sightings 5th August 2024
For today’s count, the tide was quickly creeping its way up the lough with a strong wind and light rain. The Oystercatcher hadn’t yet reached the Shingle Bank and were still busy feeding and making the most of the exposed mudflats, along with Curlew, Little egrets and a multitude of different gull species. A trio of Common seals were happily hauled out on one of the Lough’s islands, clearly visible from the Limekiln Observatory.
The Wadermarsh was practically overrun with Greylag geese!(pictured) A flock of over 30 of the large, gregarious birds were resting on the grassy islands, whilst a small number made their way over the Shingle Bank and onto the water in Main Lake. They are grazers, so the Wadermarsh is a great place for adults and juveniles to safely feed and rest in groups, whilst also giving visitors a great view from the Brent Hide.
The Common tern chicks are steadily growing, getting more confident and energetic by the day, and Little grebes pop up out of the water around the raft on Saline Lagoon and on Main Lake, keeping you guessing how many of them there actually are!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Common seal 3, Little egret 10, Curlew 4, Oystercatcher 30, Black-headed gull 28, Common gull 4, Great-crested grebe 1, Greater black-backed gull 2, Herring gull 3, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Eider 5, Cormorant 4
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Little egret 3, Grey heron 2, Coot 5, Little grebe 3, Jackdaw, Mute swan 2, Greylag goose 8, Tufted duck 4, Moorhen 6 (1 chick), Mallard 169, Black-headed gull 2, Wood pigeon, House martin, Swallow
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 83, Gadwall 3, Moorhen 3, Teal 3, Shelduck 1 (6 juveniles)
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 3, Greylag goose 34, Moorhen 6, Hooded crow 4, Jackdaw 6, Wood pigeon
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 6, Moorhen 4, Swallow, Jackdaw
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Common tern 4 (7 chicks), Little grebe 2
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 1
Peninsula Field
Meadow pipit
Brickworks
Swallow, Blackbird
Limestone Lake
Common tern 2, Swallow, Wood pigeon
Woodland
Blue tit, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Wood pigeon, Sparrowhawk, Robin, Wren
