Recent Sightings 14th July 2025
Monday Bird Count 14/07/2025
The following sightings were taken from the reserve at Castle Espie during a rising tide. This week’s bird of the week is the Jay. These birds are the most colourful members of the corvid family (includes crows and magpies) that can be found here in Northern Ireland. They are excellent sound mimics, particularly impersonating birds of prey when they feel threatened. Jays are notorious for hiding acorns, they may stash up to 5000 away in preparation for the winter, many forgotten acorns will grow into oak trees.
All birds counted by Ricky, Steph, Jonny and Gabby
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Black Headed Gull 8, Lesser Black Backed Gull 2, Curlew 8, Greater Black Backed Gull 1, Oystercatcher 3
Main lake - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 98 (plus 6 ducklings), Little Grebe 4, Grey Heron 1, Little Egret 4, Tufted Duck 3 (plus 3 ducklings), Sand Martin, Starling, Song Thrush, House Martin, Swallow, Wren, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory Garden and Visitor Centre
Mallerd 32, Moorhen 4, Jackdaw 2
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black Headed Gull 1, Woodpigeon 1, Jackdaw 1
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Gadwall 3, Mallard 6, Moorhen 1, Swift 1, Sedge Warbler, Jackdaw 1, Swallow
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Common Tern 9 (plus 6 chicks), Black Headed Gulls 18 (plus 1 chick), Wood Pigeon, Black Bird
Brickworks
Dunnock, Jackdaw
Limestone Lake
Common Tern 1, Jackdaw, Sedge Warbler
Peninsula Saltmarsh
No Birds Seen
Peninsula Field
No Birds Seen
Woodland
Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Robin, Wren, Sparrowhawk (chick), Jay (4 chicks)
Sensory Garden
Robin, Blue Tit, Black Bird, Wood Pigeon, Long Tailed Tit
