News

Recent Sightings - 18th February 2019

Recent Sightings - 18th February 2019

Strangford Lough is an incredible rich place for lots of different wader species. One of our most frequent, abundant and visible visitors during the winter is the rather dainty Redshank. Striking and diagnostic red legs make this a bird easily identified

18 February 2019

Recent Sightings - 11th February 2019

Recent Sightings - 11th February 2019

Another under appreciated wee gem that's very visible at Castle Espie at this time of year is the Gadwall.

11 February 2019

Recent Sightings - 3rd February 2019

Recent Sightings - 3rd February 2019

This week i thought I'd highlight one of our most conspicuous and yet overlooked residents; the Moorhen. These "water chicken" like birds are found around are commonly found on wetlands in the UK and Ireland, wading in the edges of ponds and lakes with th

4 February 2019

Recent Sightings - 28th January 2019

Recent Sightings - 28th January 2019

Count taken at low tide on the morning of 28/1/19.Two birds which have been infrequent visitors to Castle Espie this winter, but very rarely show up on this weekly count, are Redpoll and Siskin. (Redpoll above)These two species aren't found at Castle Espi

28 January 2019

Today's Sightings

Today's Sightings

Bewick’s swan Mute swan Whooper swan Canada goose Greylag goose White-fronted goose Gadwall Goldeneye Mallard Pintail Pochard Teal Tufted duck Shelduck Shoveler Wigeon Cattle egret Crane Great egret Little egret Cormorant Coot Moorhen Black-tailed godwi

16 January 2019

Wildlife sightings 16/01/19

Wildlife sightings 16/01/19

a.m. mid/high tide Wader Lake Grey heron 3 Shoveler 4 male, 1 female Mute swan 2 Shelduck 9 Tufted duck Water rail (heard at Prince's Trust hide) Teal 15 Saline lagoon Teal 3 Hawthorn Wood Lesser redpoll 4 Mealy redpoll Brambling 10 Nuthatch Treecreeper G

16 January 2019

Chiffchaff overwintering in Wildside

Chiffchaff overwintering in Wildside

1 Bittern - main lake 4 Pintail - main lake, reservoir lagoon 1 Water Pipit - grazing marsh 1 Shelduck - main lake 4 Snipe - wader scrape 1 Chiffchaff - Wildside   January bird highlights: Shelduck, Goldeneye, Bittern, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit,

16 January 2019

Great Whites

Great Whites

Martin Smith Hide Chiffchaff calling from the nearby trees, two birds have been seen here lately and are probably roosting in the ivy. The Jack Snipe made another appearance along with 5 Common Snipe, if you don't see it first time it's well worth return

15 January 2019

Today's Sightings

Today's Sightings

Bewick’s swan Whooper swan Mute swan Greylag Canada goose Tundra bean goose (x3) Shelduck Shoveler Mallard Pintail Gadwall Wigeon Teal Ringed teal (escapee) Pochard Tufted duck Moorhen Crane x 4 (Friends hide) Great egret Cattle egret (following sheep o

15 January 2019

Wader Lake essential works - Jan 2019

Wader Lake essential works - Jan 2019

 WWT Washington's reserve team will be carrying out some essential maintenance on Wader Lake this week (Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January 2019).  The dedicated team of staff and volunteers at WWT Washington will be renewing and enhancing the existing

15 January 2019

Wildlife sightings - 15/01/19

Wildlife sightings - 15/01/19

a.m. Tide Level: High Wader Lake Lapwing 36 Curlew 19 Canada goose 10 Shelduck 21 Shoveller 4 Black-headed gull 5 Grey heron 6 Redshank 1 Teal 15 Saline Lagoon Curlew 19 Carrier crow 1 Hawthorn Wood Bullfinch 18 Blue tit 8 Goldfinch 9 Redpoll 6 Dunnock 1

15 January 2019

Siskin along the South route

Siskin along the South route

2 Bittern - main lake (North shore & close to Headley hide) 6 Pintail - main lake 1 Water Pipit - grazing marsh 3 Siskin - South route 1 Peregrine - hunting over the main lake 1 Kestrel - South route January bird highlights: Shelduck, Goldeneye, Bitt

15 January 2019

White-fronts in the Four Score again

White-fronts in the Four Score again

Rushy Hide Good roost of Bewick's Swans with 110 birds on site. One of the satellite transmitter birds (Catalana) visited Gwent (Llandegfedd/Usk) over the weekend. Martin Smith Hide No reports of the Jack Snipe today but Common Snipe, Chiffchaff and Cetti

14 January 2019

Wigeon grazing thanks to summer sheep

Wigeon grazing thanks to summer sheep

Male wigeon On Sunday afternoon I counted 11 wigeon across from the Ramsar hide. Four were up on the cut, grazing on the fresh grass. Droppings from the Jacob’s sheep we had grazing this wet meadow last summer have added nutrients to the soil bringing

14 January 2019

Raptor-fest

Raptor-fest

Continuing this winters run of good raptor days with at least 4 Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 3+ Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and Merlin over the weekend. At least 3 Barn Owl (two showing well from the Ron Barker Hide) and 2 Tawny Owl today again. Fif

14 January 2019