Recent Sightings 27th December 2022
There was a rising tide for this Christmassy count on Tuesday, bringing groups of waders up the Estuary before the Strangford Lough mudflats were immersed in icy, cold seawater. Tiny Dunlin scuttle between groups of larger birds including Curlew, Oystercatcher and even a lone Whimbrel. Whimbrel are slightly smaller than Curlew, with a shorter beak and a very distinctive eye stripe.
Bullfinches (pictured) were seen amongst the winter-y trees and fallen leaves of the Woodland. These small passerines are easily recognised by their bold black head and the bright plush red of the breast on the male. They can also clearly be identified as finches due to their short, sturdy beaks. Finches eat seeds, amongst other things, and their strong beaks are useful for cracking them open. The collective noun for these robust, stout looking birds is a ‘bellowing’!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Oystercatcher 310, Whimbrel 1, Shelduck 81, Wigeon 12, Greater black-backed gull 1, Redshank 62, Greenshank 2, Dunlin 28, Eider 40, Curlew 12, Black-headed gull 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 46, Tufted duck 5, Teal 15, Coot 1, Mute swan (juvenile) 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 54, Black-tailed godwit 1
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Gadwall 38, Shoveler 2, Little egret 1, Moorhen 6, Oystercatcher 9, Redshank 2, Teal 112
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Teal 6, Moorhen 2
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Little grebe 9, Redshank 2, Greenshank 1, Moorhen 1
Brickworks
Jackdaw 2, Sparrowhawk 1
Limestone Lake
Little grebe 1, Cormorant 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
Meadow pipit 3
Peninsula Field
Pheasant 1, Hooded crow 2, Blackbird 2, Starling 1
Woodland
Goldcrest, Robin, Wren, Bullfinch, Dunnock, Blackbird, Blue tit, Great tit, Wood pigeon
