We've done lots of pond-dipping this year at Strathbeg (you can go pond-dipping any time you visit- just ask us for a pond-dipping kit) but today we decided to try something a little bit different.
Our band of Wild Kids headed out onto the reserve to 'dip' the cut stream (the outflow of the loch) and the saltwater lagoon. Dipping in the pond usually involves standing on the edge and making sure you don't end up in the water. The sloping banks of the lagoon meant we had to wade out into the shallow water to see what we could find. Thankfully everyone stayed dry from the knees up, even if we did have to empty a few wellies out on the way back!
While the freshwater stream had a lot of familiar beasties- sticklebacks pond-skaters and whirligig beetles as well as lots of freshwater shrimp- the saltwater lagoon turned up a lot of new finds. The best were theese fantastic little flatfish. We think they're either plaice (some of them showed a hint of orange spots) or flounder. If there are any tiny fish experts out there we'd appreciate any answers!
Wild Kids next week will be discovering some of the secrets of Strathbeg- opening the moth trap, seeing how we use our hidden cameras to capture the wildlife out on the reserve, and hopefully filming some wildlife of our own. We'll also try and fit in a bit of den-building to replace the shelter building we had to cancel last fortnight because of the weather.
The lagoon has also been good for more serious birders this week, with a slightly scraggy male Osprey fishing at the end of the cut (not one of the three on the low ground yesterday evening), Water Rail shouting from the reeds and a Green Sandpiper in the lagoon. A sunny day is also turning up some super butterflies including Common Blue, Small Heath, and a few Dark Green Fritillary on the big thistles.
Ian and I discovered lots of plaice/ flounder the last time we visited the lagoon, though we wern't quite sure what they were, as all we saw was streaks in the sand. Glad you managed to catch some and find out what they were.