Latest sightings
Recent Sightings 21st August 2023
Warm, bright weather on the Reserve today, with sun bursting out from the occasional cloud to light up the metallic feathers of the Kingfishers (pictured), as a pair of them sped over the Main Lake. Kingfishers are fast, your best shot at seeing one is to
21 August 2023
Recent Sightings 14th August 2023
A Whitethroat (pictured) was spotted around the Wadermarsh on Monday morning, along with a nice variety of other passerines flitting between hedgerows just outside the Brent Hide. Whitethroats are summer visitors here, arriving from April and staying unti
16 August 2023
Recent Sightings 7th August 2023
Canada geese (pictured) were spotted on the reserve during the morning count before moving onto the Estuary as the tide went out, and the mudflats of Strangford Lough were slowly exposed. These large, monochromatic birds are not native to the UK, but to N
8 August 2023
Recent Sightings 31st July 2023
A windy and rainy reserve this morning for the last count of July 2023, but still lots of variety out on the Estuary as the tide came in. A couple of Ringed plover (pictured) were out feeding on the mudflats – running quickly and then stopping abruptly,
31 July 2023
Recent Sightings 24th July 2023
The bird of the week definitely goes to a lovely little visitor that was spotted by our placement student – a Common sandpiper (pictured). As the tide went out on Monday morning, this delicate, attractive wader flew into the Wadermarsh and spent time ex
25 July 2023
Recent Sightings 17th July 2023
Our resident Shelduck ducklings are starting to look more like Shelduck teenagers now, as they sit casually on the Shingle Bank – their adult feathers starting to come through stronger and give them that iconic Shelduck plumage. A Grey heron and group o
17 July 2023
Recent Sightings 10th July 2023
There was a lovely variety of different wetland birds out on the Estuary this morning as the tide went out. Between rainy showers, Grey herons and Little egrets were fishing in the streams running out onto the Lough and the Oystercatcher were busy feeding
10 July 2023
Recent Sightings 3rd July 2023
The tide was slowly creeping up the Lough for the first count of July this year, bringing Oystercatcher and Black-headed gulls up to sit right in front of the Brent Hide. There were also Greenshank (pictured) out feeding on the Estuary. Greenshank are les
3 July 2023
Recent Sightings 26th June 2023
Bright blue skies and a cool breeze on the reserve today after thunderstorms, rain and lightning yesterday! The sunshine bought a Kingfisher out of hiding, making the most of the perfect fishing weather and spying over the Main Lake for small fish. The Tu
26 June 2023
Recent Sightings 19th June 2023
The tide was on its way up the Lough this morning, bringing with it an array of waders, gulls and sea ducks. The Eider were out on the water with a large crèche of ducklings, moving up and down with the waves and the larger Greater black-backed gull was
19 June 2023
Recent Sightings 12th June 2023
Clear blue skies and sunny weather over Castle Espie for a beautiful June bird count. The tide was in, bring in all the Oystercatcher to the Shingle Bank and giving us a special glimpse of a Common seal swimming in the Lough off the end of the Pier. A few
13 June 2023
Recent Sightings 5th June 2023
There was a nice variety of birds to see out on the Main Lake this morning, from the tiny, diving Little grebe to the large, impressive Mute swans. The Shelduck family held center stage though with their 8 shelducklings! The Shelduck (pictured) is one of
5 June 2023
Recent Sightings 29th May 2023
With a high tide for the morning count, a small group of Eider (pictured) ducklings was visible out on the Lough from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory. These sturdy little ducklings can be seen in crèches, usually guarded by a number of adults
30 May 2023
Recent Sightings 22nd May 2023
The Limekiln balcony is the perfect viewing spot for migratory Sand martins (pictured) as they feed on the wing over the water. Sand martins over-winter in Africa, and arrive in the UK from March, staying until around October. Sand martins are smaller tha
22 May 2023
Recent Sightings 15th May 2023
The tide was in for this morning’s count, bringing a small group of Light-bellied brent geese to float just outside the Brent Hide windows on the waters of Strangford Lough. As the mudflats were underwater, the Shingle Bank and Wadermarsh welcomed in la
15 May 2023