WWT Castle Espie - Ross's geese,red crested pochards & buffleheads!

No, don't get too excited all the birds in the title were captive ones.

While over in Northern Ireland visiting Majella's mum we decided to head up to Strangford Lough and the WWT reserve Castle Espie.We have never been before so no idea what to expect.
The first part of the reserve you walk through is the captive breeding section with an array of different ducks and geese.
Red breasted geese.

Ross's geese

Emperor Geese

Red Crested pochards

Buffleheads

Patagonian Crested Duck

Rosybills.

Puna Teal

Wood ducks

Greenland white-fronted geese

 Feeding the Hawaiian (Nene) Geese

Then you go walk out to one the hides and screens that overlook Strangford Lough.The tide was out but there were plenty of these.Oystercatcher on Strangford Lough shore.

Collared dove portrait.

Of course there were loads of mallards taking advantage of the food.

We saw 5 butterfly species on the reserve despite the dullness and drizzle, small & large whites,peacocks,small tortoiseshell & this common blue.

We managed to see 28 bird species, mostly common ones.
Blue tits
Chaffinches
Coal tits
Wood Pigeon
Goldfinches
Blackbirds
Moorhens
Songthrush
Pied wagtails
Mallards
Black Headed Gulls
Greylag Geese
Jackdaws
Shelducks
Tufted ducks
Swallows
House Sparrows
Oystercatchers
Curlews
Wigeon
Black tailed Godwits
Mute swans
Coots
Dunnock
Great tits
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Little Grebes
Collared Doves
If you are ever in or around the Belfast area it is definately worth a visit to WWT Castle Espie and the surrounding area of Strangford Lough.

Thanks again for reading and looking at my photos and apologies for posting more photos in one blog than usual.