Natural History – Larne Lough

On Wednesday 12th October, the Natural History group met at Larne Railway station.
Under Brenda’s guidance, a seemingly empty lagoon gradually revealed an amazing variety of birdlife. Many grey herons and little egrets stood around the edge while merganser ducks dived for food. A cormorant struggled to swallow a large fish that he had caught.
A short train journey to Glynn and more species to be spotted. Oyster catchers and curlew explored the seaweed while an eider duck swam around.
Back to Larne and a short walk to Sandy Bay by the Chaine Memorial where ringed plover and dunlin foraged the shoreline and Brent geese flew overhead as the ferry passed.
A delicious warming lunch fortified the group for a visit to the mouth of the Inver river for more bird spotting.
Many thanks to Brenda for a most enjoyable and educational outing.

Birds seen

Larne Lagoon at Larne Town Station
Many Grey Heron, with Little Egret, Oystercatcher (big long red beak) Redshank, Greenshank and Lapwing. Lots of Red-breasted Merganser (with the punk hair-do) and Cormorants standing on the pipe thing.
Glynn Halt
Curlew, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard and a beautiful male Eider duck, with lots more Red-breasted Merganser.
Sandy Bay at the Chaine Memorial Tower
Ringed Plover and Dunlin, very busy feeding at the water’s edge. Turnstone, Oystercatcher again and a Black-tailed Godwit with long straight bill.
Brent geese flew overhead as the ferry came in.
Bird List
(including those seen at the Marine Highway at the mouth of the Inver River)