Recent Sightings 29th January 2024
The tide was just starting to creep in for this mornings count, bringing into view Eider ducks and Goldeneye on the Strangford Lough waters. Large groups of Shelduck were on the mudflats, feeding on invertebrates and plant matter in the sand, alongside the Light-bellied brent geese grazing on Eelgrass.
A pair of Stonechat were chasing eachother up and down the hedgerow leading up to the Limekiln Observatory, making their characteristic calls that sound like two stones being hit together. The male Stonechat (pictured) has a beautiful dark orange breast with a delicate half collar of white feathers. These small passerines can be found in heathland and boggy habitats, frequenting coastlines and wetlands throughout the winter months.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Mute swan 4, Light-bellied brent goose 41, Oystercatcher 126, Shelduck 85, Hooded crow 4, Little egret 2, Greenshank 2, Redshank 22, Black-headed gull 17, Common gull 12, Herring gull 4, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Rook 1, Curlew 16, Eider 14, Goldeneye 4
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 127, Teal 34, Little grebe 1, Moorhen 1, Shoveler 3, Blackbird, Coal tit, Great tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Wood pigeon
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Cormorant 2, Mallard 22, Teal 15, Moorhen 2, Gadwall 5
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Kingfisher 1, Teal 26, Greenshank 2, Redshank 3, Moorhen 1, Black-tailed godwit 4, Hooded crow 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Teal 8, Mallard 3, Gadwall 2, Moorhen 7, Robin
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Gadwall 7, Little grebe 2, Redshank 2
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Hooded crow 2
Peninsula Field
Hooded crow 3
Brickworks
Jackdaw 4, Song thrush, Robin, Great tit, Blackbird, Stonechat
Limestone Lake
Mallard 2
Woodland
Blackbird, Wood pigeon, Coal tit, Wren, Great tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue tit, Goldcrest
