Recent Sightings - 1st October 2018
The following sightings were recorded today at Low tide from the reserve at Castle Espie.
The extraordinary "Gronk" sound of the Brent geese can be heard from nearly every part of the reserve now. Many thousands are now settling into the Lough for Autumn. As we drift into the fall season, the numbers of butterflies are beginning to drop off (finally!), although a few Common Blues and Speckled Woods hanging on. The real treat to see at the minute is a small flock of Northern Pintail that has been roosting in the Freshwater Lagoon. Having flown from colder climes in Eastern Europe, these birds will spend the winter in and a round Strangford Lough. The male's colouration is exquisite topped with that striking "Pin-like" tail.
A male Northern Pintail by James Lees
Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Brent Goose c.1500, Little Egret 1, Black-headed Gull 19, Curlew 5, Oystercatcher 16, Teal 6, Grey Heron 1
Main lake – visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 85, Tufted duck 7, Teal 5, Goldeneye 1, Moorhen 1, Little Grebe 1, Cormorant 1, Little Grebe 1
Shingle bank – visible from Sensory garden, Wadermarsh and Visitor Centre
Mallard 36, Teal 12, Moorhen 3, Tufted duck 2, Greylag 8
Wadermarsh – visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 2, Moorhen 6, Oystercatcher 1, Teal 10
Freshwater Lagoon – visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 42, Coot 2, Moorhen 1, Teal 50, Pintail 60, Wigeon 3, Shoveler 1, Tufted duck 1
Saline Lagoon – visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 7, Little Egret 2, Tufted Duck 1
Limestone Lake
Mallard 1
Peninsula Field and Saltmarsh
Black-headed Gull 1
Brickworks
Goldfinch
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Wood pigeon, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Hooded Crow, Buzzard
Butterflies and Moths on the reserve
Speckled Wood, Common Blue
