Recent Sightings 25th April 2022
The sightings this week were taken on a receding tide, so the Shingle bank was mainly left to the Black-headed gulls, most of which have paired off now and are busy building nests. They can often be seen flying around with reeds, sticks, seaweed and other nesting material in their beaks.
A trio of Great crested grebes was seen on the lough at the end of the Pier. These are the largest of the grebes and are known for their impressive courtship rituals that start in early spring and their characteristic head plumage and orange ruff during breeding season. They were diving for food and two were seen ‘dancing’ for each other which is a sure sign that spring is here!
The Peninsular field played host to a Whimbrel this morning, alongside some Curlew which are confusingly similar looking birds! They both have a distinctive down-curved beak, but a Whimbrel is smaller, with a slightly shorter bill and a more striking facial pattern.
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Shelduck 2, Redshank 1, Mallard 1, Black-headed gull 85, Common gull 2, Moorhen 1, Dunlin 225, Black-tailed godwit 204, Knot 31, Lesser black-backed gull 5, Curlew 1, Oystercatcher 13, Eider 8
Pier – visible from Limelkiln Observatory and Peninsular Lookout
Oystercatcher 116, Redshank 2, Herring gull 1, Cormorant 1, Hooded crow 3, Eider 4, Great crested grebe 3
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 17, Teal 2, Tufted duck 1, Greylag goose 1, Moorhen 2, Black-headed gull 41, Cormorant 1, Gadwall 2
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Oystercatcher 1, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Black-headed gull 86
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 11
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Gadwall 2, Mallard 6, Moorhen 5, Black-headed gull 280, Redshank 1, Lesser black-backed gull 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Black-headed gull 96, Redshank 1, Black-tailed godwit 1, Moorhen 3
Brickworks
Jackdaw 3, Goldfinch 4
Limestone Lake
Mallard 1, Black-headed gull 14
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Shelduck 2, Black-headed gull 5, Black-tailed godwit 28
Peninsula Field
Black-tailed godwit 13, Jackdaw 4, Wimbrel 1, Curlew 6
Woodland
Blackcap, Wood pigeon, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Magpie, Chiffchaff
