News
Recent Sightings 3rd October 2022
With autumn well on its way, Castle Espie is looking bright and fresh in the October sunshine and showers. We’ve had some seriously impressive rainbows to show for it recently. Over the Estuary full of Light-bellied brent geese feeding on Eel grass in t
3 October 2022
Connect with Nature and restore your wellbeing at Castle Espie this Autumn
It’s been proven that spending time in nature - particularly near water - makes us feel happier, reduces negative thoughts and levels of stress as well as having real well-being benefits. That’s why WWT Castle Espie, on the shores of Strangford Lough
30 September 2022
Recent Sightings 26th September 2022
Despite the strong winds this morning, there were still some interesting birds to view out on the reserve – and all from the shelter of at least one of our hides! A small group of female Northern shoveler were feeding on the banks of the Main Lake, easi
26 September 2022
Recent Sightings 20th September 2022
This morning’s sightings were accompanied by the beautiful and calming sounds of Brent geese calling to one another out on the Estuary. With well over a thousand birds now feeding out on Strangford Lough, and hopefully more still to come, they’re hard
20 September 2022
GET READY FOR THE BIG BRENT WEEKEND AT WWT CASTLE ESPIE THIS OCTOBER
Castle Espie Wetland Centre is getting ready to welcome visitors to The Big Brent Weekend Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October, which celebrates one of its greatest wildlife spectacles of the year – the return of the light-bellied brent geese to the shor
15 September 2022
Recent Sightings 12th September 2022
This week has started with some lovely new visitors to Castle Espie, along with all our usual sightings. A solitary Goldeneye was seen on the Main Lake, standing out from the Mallards with its dark head and striking yellow eyes. Common Goldeneye are winte
13 September 2022
WWT Castle Espie Hosts Northern Irelands First Blue Carbon and MPA Strategy Focus Group
The Northern Ireland Government are preparing to review their Marine Protection area and Blue Carbon Strategies. The Department of Agriculture and Rural affairs (DAERA) have adopted co-design process for the review involving important stakeholders of whic
8 September 2022
Recent Sightings 29th August 2022
Two female Pintails were seen on the Main Lake this morning, best viewed from the Collection area and the Garden Hide. The female duck does not have the striking white front and elongated tail feathers of the male, but they still have a pointed tail and a
29 August 2022
Recent Sightings 22nd August 2022
Despite the rainy weather on Monday, the Kingfisher was out fishing on the Main Lake in the early morning. If they’re about, they’re easily spotted from the Garden Hide in the Sensory Garden which is a great place for taking photos. Widgeon (pictured)
23 August 2022
Recent Sightings 15th August 2022
Castle Espie has had some new visitors recently to look out for. On the Main Lake a small group of Wigeon have been seen recently, amongst the Gadwall and Tufted ducks. Wigeon are a small dabbling duck, feeding on aquatic plants and roots. The UK receive
16 August 2022
Recent Sightings 1st August 2022
August has started on a sunny day with lots of our usual visitors on our Castle Espie lakes and ponds. There are still ducklings to be seen on the Main Lake and Freshwater Lagoon, including Moorhens, Gadwall and a wee family of Tufted ducks. The Kingfishe
2 August 2022
Recent Sightings 25th July 2022
Blue skies but very strong winds here at Castle Espie today made counting, and hearing, sheltering birds quite a challenge! However, plenty of our feathered friends were not put off by the gales. A female Northern shoveler was on Freshwater Lagoon this mo
25 July 2022
Recent Sightings 18th July 2022
Castle Espie looks amazing in the sunshine with clear blue skies and a gentle breeze to welcome you out onto the reserve. The Main Lake is playing host to several pairs of Mute swans at the moment, which is a very calming view to sit and admire from the G
18 July 2022
Become a Junior Wetland Ranger this Summer!
Learn what it takes to care for our beautiful wetlands and help us with our daily mission to save wetland nature.Set off to explore and take part in fun activities to discover what makes wetlands amazing. With exciting wetland challenges to reconnect you
15 July 2022
Recent Sightings 11th July 2022
The sunny weather recently has bought lots of visitors to Castle Espie, with the sky filled with the shapes of Swallows, House martins, Skylarks and Terns. Most of the Greylag goslings are fully grown now and are hard to distinguish from their parents, an
13 July 2022