Recent Sightings - 27th August 2018
The following sightings were recorded today at Low tide from the reserve at Castle Espie.
Lots to see at the minute while we all eagerly await the return of the Brent Geese to Strangford Lough. Goldfinches are a hive of activity in the Brickworks, flocks up to 30 string are feeding on the Knapweed flower-heads. A Common Sandpiper and a Juvenile Mediterranean Gull have been hanging around all week and are giving good views form the Saline Lagoon and the Main Lake respectively. And the Teal numbers continue to grow with large flocks roosting in the reserve overnight.
Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Black-headed Gull 8, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1
Main lake – visible from Sensory garden and Visitor centre
Mallard 68, Tufted duck 8, Moorhen 3, Little Grebe 1, Coot 2, Goldeneye 1
Shingle bank – visible from Sensory garden, Wadermarsh and Visitor Centre
Moorhen 6, Mallard 35, Greylag Goose 1, Mediterranean Gull (juvenile) 1, Black-headed Gull 4
Wadermarsh – visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-headed gull 2, Moorhen 3, Little Egret 1
Freshwater Lagoon – visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Mallard 2, Teal 50, Coot 1
Saline Lagoon – visible from Limekiln observatory
Little Grebe 5 , Herring gull 1, Common Sandpiper 1
Limestone Lake
Mallard 1,
Peninsula Field and Saltmarsh
Black-headed Gull 2, Meadow Pipit
Brickworks
Goldfinch, Linnet, Swallows,
Woodland
Blackbird, Wren, Wood pigeon, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch,
Butterflies on the reserve
Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Silver Y, Shaded Broad Bar
Goldfinch, Photo Credit: Paul Stevens
