1st January 2000

I remembered to bring power for my camcorder today, good start! The weather is mild for this time of year, very little wind, no rain, good light.

It is 10:00 on new year’s day and while there are two hides which are permanently open, I am glad to see that the observation room is also available, being manned by a couple of volunteers.

The first thing I notice is that I can hear the birds. A micraphone has been set up outside, and a small amplifier is relaying their voices into the room. For some unknown reason things are quite unsettled, lapwings land for just a few minutes before taking off again, making it impossible to get an accurate count, but the experts on hand estimate some 800 birds.

I decide to do a systematic survey, panning from right to left, identifying each species as I go. Good plan, I think, but it is not to be, My new-found friends are eager to ensure that I do not miss anything of importance and start pointing out birds of significance. Away to the right, on a wooden raft, sits a Gosander one of very few in N.Ireland. A little to the left of that, and somewhat closer, a Red-breasted Merganser preens itself on a floating log.

I turn my attention to birds swimming near the middle island and, unassisted, identify Mallard, Moorhen, Wigeon, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal and Shellduck. On the island are Great Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls and even two Common Gulls.

The feeding stations attract some of the smaller species close enough to get a good view. I need help again with the LBJs (Little Brown Jobs) Linnets and Reed Buntings but recognise Greenfinches fighting for the best positions at the seed feeders. A Mistle Thrush feeds on the short grass just outside the windows while a Magpie[Picture] obligingly perches in a nearby denuded tree, for all the world - including me - to see.

Back to the island margins to identify Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and Grey Heron.

Over the next hour or so we also spot Robin, Cormorant, Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Starling, Turnstone and Rook bringing the days species total to 29. Then, just as I pack up to go, A brown blur flashes past the window, swooping low over the feeders then rising sharply away. It perches on a pole at the boundry fence and is identified as a Sparrowhawk. A nice round 30 species identified from the comfort of a heated observation room in the middle of an industrial site in the Belfast Harbour Estate, not bad for the first day of the year!

James