Karl Martin bird blog: Belfast WoW/Kinnegar

There has been a Little Gull present for a number of weeks at the Window on Wildlife reserve on the Belfast Lough. About two weeks ago I visited with hopes of finding the tiny bird among thousands of Black-Headed Gulls but was unsuccessful. This time however, I was fortunate enough to enter one of the hides on the reserve at just the right time as the Little Gull was swimming quite close by. I was able to snap a few (not great) pictures before it flew off to the other side of the reserve. There were also at least 6 Mediterranean Gulls present on the rafts, as well as many Sandwich Terns and Common Terns. A little Grebe and a pair of Gadwall also gave me good views from the far hide. After I’d seen all there was to see at the WoW reserve, I walked along the road to Kinnegar Shore. Here, around 20 Brent Geese - which seem to stay there quite late into the year- a Whimbrel, a few pairs of Tufted Ducks and Gadwall, a pair of Greenfinch and a few Black-Tailed Godwits were among other common species. As if that wasn’t enough, on my way home a Black Guillemot gave me great views sitting on a float on the river Lagan! I hope you enjoy the photos.