Recent Sightings - 10th September 2018
The following sightings were recorded today at Low tide from the reserve at Castle Espie.
Duck numbers are still on the increase, with lots of birds arriving to Strangford from their summer breeding grounds. Keep a particular look out for the Shoveler duck, with its superb long bill from which it derives its name. Unusual for Castle Espie, the rasping primeval call of the Jay is being heard in the woodlands currently; one of the more colourful birds in the Crow family, make sure you don't miss it!
Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Black-headed Gull 11, Curlew 3, Oystercatcher 1
Main lake – visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 75, Tufted duck 9, Moorhen 2, Gadwall 2, Wigeon 1, Goldeneye 1
Shingle bank – visible from Sensory garden, Wadermarsh and Visitor Centre
Moorhen 4, Mallard 4, Black-headed Gull 1 Teal 1
Wadermarsh – visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 2, Moorhen 9, Coot 1, Grey Heron 1,
Freshwater Lagoon – visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 73, Teal 2, Moorhen 7, Shoveler 5, Coot 2, Tufted duck 1
Saline Lagoon – visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 5 ,
Limestone Lake
Mallard 4, Wigeon 2, Little Egret 2
Peninsula Field and Saltmarsh
Lapwing 5
Brickworks
Goldfinch, Swallows
Woodland
Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wren, Wood pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Hooded Crow, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Jay
Butterflies and Moths on the reserve
Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Silver Y,
