Wader numbers are still high this week at the reserve, although the Wilson's Phalarope is no longer around. However, we have had regular sightings of 2 Little Stint and 1 Curlew Sandpiper. Other top wader numbers over the week have included 400 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 30 Lapwing, 83 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 45 Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Bar-tailed Godwit, 38 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 4 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sanderling and 2 Turnstone. Some of the Common and Arctic Terns have now left to start their long migration down south, but we still have around 200 Common Terns and a few Arctic Terns. This week the reserve has also seen 2 Black Terns, which a more unusual sighting at the reserve. Wildfowl numbers are still steady, with 16 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, 36 Teal, 7 Mallard, 7 Shoveler and 9 Tufted Duck being seen over the week.
It's not just birds at the reserve though, a stoat has been spotted regularly putting on some entertaining displays! There are also some butterflies still around. A quick walk around the reserve revealed 7 Speckled Wood, 2 Common Blue, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Green-veined Whites. Check back next week for the latest updates here at Belfast Harbour Reserve!