There was no such thing as a lazy Sunday at Loch of Strathbeg this weekend. The team were out bright and early to carry out our monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS). The wintering ducks are starting to arrive on the reserve with 1300 wigeon, 123 goldeneye, 77 teal, 30 tufted duck and 14 pintail counted. There has also been good numbers of whooper swans with counts of around 850.
The pink footed goose count was fairly modest with 2439 counted on reserve. It seems the birds are preferring to feed in fields in the surrounding area with approximately 12 000 counted.
Wader numbers are also on the up as winter draws in with sizeable flocks of lapwing and golden plover making use of the pools.
The Dunbar hide is now open and has been providing great views of the whoopers and the wigeon flock. An otter has also been seen, right in front of the hide!
Also other species of interest seen around reserve in the recent weeks are:
Little egret
Marsh Harrier
Slavonian grebe
Green winged teal
American Wigeon
Little gull
Ruff
Black-tailed godwit
Kingfisher
Kat Suchecka
Assistant Warden