Karl Martin bird blog: 2016

Groomsport

Today I went to Groomsport, Co.Down and walked from the harbour to Briggs Rocks. It was cold and dry but unfortunately the sun was behind the clouds and the lack of sunlight hindered my photography. I have included some of the best photos. It was nice to see my first ever Red-throated divers which were quite close to shore. There was also good numbers of Turnstone who overwinter on the coasts of Northern Ireland.

Pied Wagtail

Starling

Red-throated Diver

Redshank

Turnstone

Redshank

Turnstone

Redshank

Turnstones

Turnstone

Turnstones

Redshank

Pied Wagtail

Linnets

Stonechat female

Stonechat male

Redshank

Cormorant

Floodgates

Brent Geese have arrived at Strangford Lough in great numbers to spend the winter feeding on eel grass. It is great to watch them from the Floodgates at Newtownards or Island Hill near Comber.

Brent Geese

Wheatear

Brent Geese

Castle Espie

At the end of August I visited Castle Espie WWT Reserve near Comber, Co. Down. The facilities have been upgrade since my last visit and there are some good hides with views over Strangford Lough. Here are some photos.

Little Egret

Little Grebe

Swallow

Chaffinch

Tufted Duck

Robin

Belfast WOW / Kinnegar

This summer had a good colony on show at Belfast WOW. Visitors this year included Common Terns, Arctic Terns, Roseate Terns and a juvenile Black Tern.