Past event
Thursday 13 June
On arrival at RSPB Portmore Lough the U3A Environment Group made their way to the viewing platform to see what wildlife might be on the ponds. The Greylag Geese were easy to spot followed by Mallard, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gulls, Swallows and Sand Martins. We could sense the rain getting heavier so we walked briskly down towards the hide situated on the edge of the lough. Dry inside we had excellent views of the Gulls and Terns nesting alongside each other on the rafts in front of the hide. There were lots of chicks being fed by hard working parents and the noise was tremendous! A Mallard duck tried to go for a swim past the raft and she was mercilessly dive-bombed by over-protective Gulls and Terns. A Coot was spotted near the reeds.
On our walk back we observed the evidence of
A shelter near the car park was the perfect setting for lunch, a room with a view. Our leader called it a day as the rain was coming down with a vengeance and everyone headed for the cars. I took one last look from the platform with rain and wind in my face when not only did I see a Little Egret and a Grey Heron, but the cries from the Lapwing set all the birds off and there was an Otter emerging from the water and running into the reeds where there may have been young birds hiding. That’s Nature in action . . .
Brenda C.
