Recent Sightings 6th Dec 2021
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a high tide. A blustery start to the week with many of the wintering geese, ducks and waders hunkering down to avoid the worst of the weather. The hide tide brings those birds that prefer the open water closer to the shore and provide some views from the safety of the hides on the reserve.Birds like the Cormorant, Eider, Merganser and Great-crested grebe amongst those that prefer and forage within the deeper waters. We are very familiar with the Dabchick or Little grebe within the lakes of the reserve visible all year around, but their cousins the Greater crested are many seen in groups throughout the winter months. These birds congregate together during the winter on estuaries and local birds are joined by birds from the Continent. They can be seen in areas like Lough Neagh and Lough Beg, Belfast Lough and Dundalk bay, however, significant numbers can be seen on Strangford Lough especially during the deep winter months. It is always worthwhile keeping an eye out for this species which can occasionally be seen from the reserve, especially the Limekiln observatory. An amber listed species, it has declined in many areas in recent years, although has recovered from its extensive persecution during the mid 19th Century when it was used as a substitute for furs and the feathers used for ladies’ boas and muffs.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Great crested grebe 18, Teal 5, Cormorant 1, Black-headed gull 2, Eider 46, Brent goose 12, Shelduck 321, Oystercatcher 128, Redshank 1, Greenshank 1, Curlew 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 147, Tufted duck 6, Gadwall 4, Moorhen 2, Mute swan 2, Teal 15, Black-headed gull 1, Little egret 2, Oystercatcher 2, Jackdaw 2, Hooded crow 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Little egret 1, Mallard 2, Black-headed gull 5, Lesser black-backed gull 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Greenshank 3, Teal 87, Redshank 3, Black-headed gull 1, Moorhen 5, Hooded crow 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Teal 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 6, Black-headed gull 1, Kingfisher 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 1
Limestone Lake
Mallard 1, Little grebe 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Curlew 35, Greenshank 1, Redshank 3
Peninsula Field
Jackdaw 1
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Chaffinch, Great tit, Coal tit, Robin, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Magpie, Bullfinch
