Recent Sightings 12th February 2024
Lots of variety on the Reserve and out on the Lough for this count, with lots of waders coming in with the tide and some of our favourite woodland birds making an appearance. Large numbers of Oystercatcher, Knot and Dunlin were out feeding on the mudflats with a few Grey plover mixed in amongst them. Grey plover are attractive, small waders and are mainly winter visitors, although some individuals may stay here all year round. They are similar in colour to Knot, but have a smaller, shorter beak.
A Treecreeper (pictured) was spotted in the Woodland, characteristically ‘creeping’ up and down the trunks searching for food. These tiny woodland birds have delicate, down-curved beaks which help them prize out insects and spiders from the bark. They are secretive, difficult birds to spot, and are well camouflaged with a mottled brown plumage on their back – but they’re here to see and be admired if you keep an eye out!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Shelduck 6, Redshank 36, Oystercatcher ~350, Grey plover 6, Curlew 8, Light-bellied brent goose 13, Greater black-backed gull 1, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Herring gull 2, Eider 46, Hooded Crow 4, Dunlin ~100, Knot ~200, Black-tailed godwit 8, Jackdaw 2, Turnstone 6, Common gull 4, Black-headed gull 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Teal 33, Mallard 52, Tufted duck 10, Moorhen 2, Little grebe 1, Cormorant 1, Kingfisher 1, Red-breasted merganser 2, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, Robin, Siskin, Goldfinch
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Moorhen 5, Teal 46, Mallard 22, Cormorant 1, Grey heron 1, Gadwall 14
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Teal 4, Moorhen 2, Black-tailed godwit 1, Redshank 3, Greenshank 2, Black-headed gull 1, Hooded crow 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 6, Mallard 7, Gadwall 1, Teal 14, Hooded crow 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 2
Peninsula Field
Hooded crow 4, Goldcrest
Brickworks
Jackdaw 2, Blackbird, Blue Tit
Limestone Lake
Wood pigeon
Woodland
Great Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon, Goldcrest, Blackbird, Wren, Jackdaw, Coal Tit, Siskin, Bullfinch, Treecreeper
