Recent sightings - 7th March
The following sightings were recorded today by Toni Castello, warden, near high tide.
Estuary
Black-headed gull 250, -tailed godwit 150, Dunlin 150, Shelduck 250, Brent geese 70, Oystercatcher 100,Redshank 10, Little egret 1, Greater black-backed gull 1, Greenshank 1, Common teal 2. We are still having stunning sightings of waders near high tides. A Peregrine falcon was spotted flying along the seawall two days ago.
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 70, Tufted duck 25, Gadwall 2, Cormorant 1, Black-headed gull 40.
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Redshank 2, Greenshank 1, Black-tailed godwit 1.
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannog
Black-headed gull 140, Mallard 6, Coot 3, Mute swan 2.
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Greenshank 1, gadwall 5. The kingfishers are being spotted quite regularly, as usual.
Limestone lake - visible from the Limestone Pavilion and upper woodland lookout
Little grebe 4, Mallard 1.
Woodland
Chaffinch 5, Robin 2, Tree sparrow 2, Blue tit 1, Great tit 1, Coal tit 5.
Swamp and Brickworks
The calm after the last episode of heavy rain, maintained during almost two days last week, along with a recovery of the water levels in the Swamp and Brickworks ponds, seem to have encouraged the frogs to activate and spawn. We have been observing these shy animals while they were mating, and by now there are hundreds of tiny embryos scattered around the reserve:
Please see also an amazing document taken by Jonathan, one our volunteer photographers: https://twitter.com/belfastroadster/media?lang=es
Moths
Last night we set our moth trap for the second time this year. And this morning we have been amazed by these two moths:
Pale Brindled Beauty. A winter moth which is about to end its annual life cycle.
Common Quaker. A spring/summer flying moth, just starting the annual life cycle.
