Partial closure this weekend

The woodlands and gardens will be closed on Saturday 21 December and Sunday 22 December due to high winds. Keep an eye on our social media for updates.

Close alert

Recent Sightings 5th August 2024

For today’s count, the tide was quickly creeping its way up the lough with a strong wind and light rain. The Oystercatcher hadn’t yet reached the Shingle Bank and were still busy feeding and making the most of the exposed mudflats, along with Curlew, Little egrets and a multitude of different gull species. A trio of Common seals were happily hauled out on one of the Lough’s islands, clearly visible from the Limekiln Observatory.

The Wadermarsh was practically overrun with Greylag geese!(pictured) A flock of over 30 of the large, gregarious birds were resting on the grassy islands, whilst a small number made their way over the Shingle Bank and onto the water in Main Lake. They are grazers, so the Wadermarsh is a great place for adults and juveniles to safely feed and rest in groups, whilst also giving visitors a great view from the Brent Hide.

The Common tern chicks are steadily growing, getting more confident and energetic by the day, and Little grebes pop up out of the water around the raft on Saline Lagoon and on Main Lake, keeping you guessing how many of them there actually are!

Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory

Common seal 3, Little egret 10, Curlew 4, Oystercatcher 30, Black-headed gull 28, Common gull 4, Great-crested grebe 1, Greater black-backed gull 2, Herring gull 3, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Eider 5, Cormorant 4

Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Little egret 3, Grey heron 2, Coot 5, Little grebe 3, Jackdaw, Mute swan 2, Greylag goose 8, Tufted duck 4, Moorhen 6 (1 chick), Mallard 169, Black-headed gull 2, Wood pigeon, House martin, Swallow

Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre

Mallard 83, Gadwall 3, Moorhen 3, Teal 3, Shelduck 1 (6 juveniles)

Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide

Black-headed gull 3, Greylag goose 34, Moorhen 6, Hooded crow 4, Jackdaw 6, Wood pigeon

Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg

Mallard 6, Moorhen 4, Swallow, Jackdaw

Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory

Common tern 4 (7 chicks), Little grebe 2

Peninsula Saltmarsh

Black-headed gull 1

Peninsula Field

Meadow pipit

Brickworks

Swallow, Blackbird

Limestone Lake

Common tern 2, Swallow, Wood pigeon

Woodland

Blue tit, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Wood pigeon, Sparrowhawk, Robin, Wren

  • Share this article