Recent Sightings 9th January 2023
A sunny start to the day saw the Kingfisher out and about over the Wadermarsh before the rain set in. With the tide out and the mudflats exposed, huge numbers of Dunlin were out on the Estuary. Numbers of Shelduck on the Lough are increasing and catching up with the dwindling, but still significant, numbers of Brent geese feeding on Eelgrass. Shelduck are resident here all year round but can be seen in higher numbers in the winter months.
A solo Treecreeper (pictured) was spotted in the Woodland this morning, skillfully scouring the trees with its down-curved beak. Their beaks are ideal for picking through bark and into tiny crevices in the trunks to hunt for insects, though in the winter they mainly feed on seeds. They are great climbers, using their stiff tail as an extra limb to aid in their agile movements!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Hooded crow 2, Curlew 33, Shelduck 128, Oystercatcher 874, Greenshank 3, Black-tailed godwit 53, Dunlin ~750, Redshank 20, Herring gull 4, Common gull 2, Black-headed gull 10, Grey plover 2, Cormorant 5, Great crested grebe 9, Eider 6, Light-bellied brent goose 107, Knot 185, Little egret 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Tufted duck 12, Mallard 188, Teal 47, Gadwall 21, Coot 1, Grey heron 1, Moorhen 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Gadwall 13, Teal 85, Moorhen 1, Jackdaw 1, Shoveler 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Moorhen 8, Little egret 2, Black-headed gull 1, Redshank 3, Greenshank 1, Teal 6, Kingfisher 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 1
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 9, Little egret 1, Greenshank 1, Redshank 2, Black-headed gull 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 2
Limestone Lake
Mute swan 2, Grey heron 1, Moorhen 1
Peninsular Saltmarsh
Black-headed gull 1
Woodland
Treecreeper, Great tit, Wood pigeon, Robin, Blackbird
