Recent Sightings 3rd June 2024
The tide was fully in for this week’s count, pushing lots of birds into the reserve to roost and feed whilst the waters of Strangford Lough lapped against the seawall. Large numbers of Oystercatcher and Common gull are coming in and settling down on the Shingle Bank at high tide at the moment, so you’ll always get a great view of them from the Brent Hide when the tides in.
Shelduck ducklings (pictured) have made their first appearance, appearing alongside mum and dad on the Wadermarsh. Shelduck ducklings have very distinctive markings, with a black and white pattern not unlike the adult’s plumage. Shelducks are large ducks, almost goose-like in appearance, which are resident along our UK and Irish coastlines all year round.
A nice variety of small birds are dotted around the Reserve at this time of year, including Linnets on the Brickworks, House martins over the Shingle Bank, Willow warblers around Limestone Lake and Swallows pretty much everywhere!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Lesser black-backed gull 1, Little egret 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mute swan 2, Moorhen 7 (4 chicks), Swallow 3, Mallard 13, Black-headed gull 7, Gadwall 5, Tufted duck 3, Little grebe 1, Coot 1, Grey heron 1, Blackbird, Wood pigeon, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Great tit
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 44, Little egret 1, Black-headed gull 50, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Oystercatcher 373, Shelduck 2 (9 ducklings), Common gull 183, House martin 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 11, Little egret 2, Jackdaw 2, Wood pigeon 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Coot 2 (3 chicks), Gadwall 4, Mallard 2, Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Wren, Jackdaw
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Black-headed gull 4, Sedge warbler 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Shelduck 2, Little egret 1
Peninsula Field
Meadow pipit 2, Swallow 1, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Mistle thrush, Robin
Brickworks
Linnet 2, Goldfinch 3, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Robin, Mistle thrush
Limestone Lake
Black-headed gull 5, Little grebe 1, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Moorhen 1, Swallow 2, Chaffinch, Willow warbler, Dunnock
Woodland
Blue tit, Wood pigeon, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Coal tit, Great tit, Wren, Jackdaw, Robin, Great spotted woodpecker, Bullfinch, Song thrush, Blackbird
