Recent Sightings 18th December 2023
With the tide all the way out for this count, lots of lovely waders were on the Estuary of all shapes and sizes. A few Grey plover made an appearance amongst the throngs of Oystercatcher and Light-bellied brent geese, sporting their beautiful white and silver winter coats. Rafts of Eider and Goldeneye could be seen out on the water, diving for food and reappearing scattered amongst the waves.
Whooper swans (pictured) were also out on the mudflats of Strangford Lough. These charismatic swans are winter visitors here, arriving from Iceland from October onwards, and can often be seen from roadsides in agricultural fields, feeding on leftover crops. They are only slightly smaller than our resident Mute swans, with their main difference being the colour pattern of the beak and the fact that Whooper swans make a distinctive honking sound.
And of course – lots of festive red-breasted Robins are about the reserve, helping with that Christmassy feel for the last count of 2023! Merry Christmas!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Light-bellied brent goose 106, Shelduck 28, Redshank 5, Oystercatcher 139, Grey plover 2, Curlew 2, Grey heron 1, Black-headed gull 2, Greenshank 1, Cormorant 1, Lesser black-backed gull 2, Eider 210, Little egret 2, Hooded crow 4, Whooper swan 12, Goldeneye 10, Lapwing ~25 (flying over)
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Teal 18, Mallard 183, Gadwall 16, Tufted duck 16, Moorhen 2, Sparrow hawk 1, Coal tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Moorhen 5, Teal 3, Mallard 6
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Teal 86, Moorhen 2, Gadwall 3, Redshank 6, Greenshank 2
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Moorhen 4, Mallard 21, Gadwall 2, Teal 10
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 6, Redshank 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw, Blackbird, Great tit, Robin
Limestone Lake
Woodpigeon
Woodland
Robin, Wren, Jackdaw, Bullfinch, Blackbird, Great tit, Blue tit, Goldcrest, Dunnock, Raven, Rook
