Recent Sightings 11th December 2023
Lots of variety out on the Estuary as the tide crept in, with waders of all shapes and sizes exploring the exposed mudflats and hunting for food. Tiny Dunlin and Turnstone rushed around as the Brent geese grazed on Eelgrass. Sea ducks including Eider and Wigeon were bought within view from our Limekiln and Brent hides by the water slowly coming up Strangford Lough.
Two Peregrine falcons were seen flying over the Estuary. The Peregrine falcon (pictured) is a very distinctive looking bird of prey, and is one of the fastest animals on the planet, preying on small birds. Mistle thrushes have also been seen lately around the reserve, with their peculiar rattling call ringing out across the clear winter skies. They are thought to be named after their particular fondness of Mistletoe berries.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Shelduck 16, Light-bellied brent goose 84, Mute swan 1, Wigeon 14, Eider 293, Lesser black-backed gull 3, Greater black-backed gull 1, Great-crested grebe 6, Peregrine falcon 2, Cormorant 1, Black-headed gull 1, Greenshank 1, Hooded crow 2, Redshank 9, Turnstone 6, Dunlin ~50, Oystercatcher ~300, Little egret 1
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 76, Teal 2, Tufted duck 7, Coot 2, Gadwall 10, Moorhen 2, Woodpigeon 3, Raven 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Hooded crow 2, Jackdaw 3, Blue tit, Great tit, Blackbird, Dunnock, Long-tailed tit, Chaffinch, Robin
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 26, Moorhen 1, Little egret 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Greenshank 15, Teal 86, Redshank 2, Moorhen 8, Gadwall 34
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 2, Moorhen 4, Teal 1, Jay 1, Robin, Mistle thrush, Blackbird
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 6, Kingfisher 1, Redshank 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Kingfisher 1, Redshank 1, Oystercatcher 4, Light-bellied brent goose 3, Curlew 1
Brickworks
Mistle thrush, Dunnock, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Jackdaw 2, Linnet 4
Limestone Lake
Little Grebe 2
Woodland
Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Coal tit
