News
Castle Espie Wetland Centre to re-open on 7 July
We are pleased to announce that Castle Espie Wetland Centre will re-open on Wednesday 7 July
30 June 2020
Northern Ireland’s only giant LEGO® brick wetland animal trail returns to Castle Espie
Back by popular demand, Northern Ireland’s only giant LEGO® brick wetland animal trail returns to WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre in Comber, Co. Down from the 29th February to 19th April.
4 March 2020
Make a Splash at the Northern Ireland Puddle Jumping Championships 2020
Back by popular demand, the Northern Ireland Puddle Jumping Championships return this February half term to WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre from Saturday 15 to Thursday 20 February.
4 February 2020
Wetland Conservation Charity Encourages Support of Local Wetland Centre on World Wetlands Day
On Sunday 2 February people across the globe will celebrate World Wetlands Day, highlighting the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet. From the Arctic to the tropics, to a small corner of the shores of Strangford Lough, wetlands can be foun
31 January 2020
Escape to a Winter Wildlife Wonderland this Christmas
With 60 adventure-filled acres of wildlife brilliance and spectacular views across Strangford Lough, Christmas is a fantastic time to visit WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre.
2 December 2019
Prepare to be spellbound this Halloween at Castle Espie
Wrap up warm this autumn and spend some time in our extraordinary wetland getting close to a wide range of species, playing with the leaves under your feet or participating in some spooky fun.
15 October 2019
Today's Sightings
Bewick’s swan Mute swan Whooper swan Canada goose Greylag goose White-fronted goose Gadwall Goldeneye Mallard Pintail Pochard Teal Tufted duck Shelduck Shoveler Wigeon Cattle egret Crane Great egret Little egret Cormorant Coot Moorhen Black-tailed godwi
16 January 2019
Wildlife sightings 16/01/19
a.m. mid/high tide Wader Lake Grey heron 3 Shoveler 4 male, 1 female Mute swan 2 Shelduck 9 Tufted duck Water rail (heard at Prince's Trust hide) Teal 15 Saline lagoon Teal 3 Hawthorn Wood Lesser redpoll 4 Mealy redpoll Brambling 10 Nuthatch Treecreeper G
16 January 2019
Chiffchaff overwintering in Wildside
1 Bittern - main lake 4 Pintail - main lake, reservoir lagoon 1 Water Pipit - grazing marsh 1 Shelduck - main lake 4 Snipe - wader scrape 1 Chiffchaff - Wildside January bird highlights: Shelduck, Goldeneye, Bittern, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit,
16 January 2019
Great Whites
Martin Smith Hide Chiffchaff calling from the nearby trees, two birds have been seen here lately and are probably roosting in the ivy. The Jack Snipe made another appearance along with 5 Common Snipe, if you don't see it first time it's well worth return
15 January 2019
Today's Sightings
Bewick’s swan Whooper swan Mute swan Greylag Canada goose Tundra bean goose (x3) Shelduck Shoveler Mallard Pintail Gadwall Wigeon Teal Ringed teal (escapee) Pochard Tufted duck Moorhen Crane x 4 (Friends hide) Great egret Cattle egret (following sheep o
15 January 2019
Wader Lake essential works - Jan 2019
WWT Washington's reserve team will be carrying out some essential maintenance on Wader Lake this week (Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January 2019). The dedicated team of staff and volunteers at WWT Washington will be renewing and enhancing the existing
15 January 2019
Wildlife sightings - 15/01/19
a.m. Tide Level: High Wader Lake Lapwing 36 Curlew 19 Canada goose 10 Shelduck 21 Shoveller 4 Black-headed gull 5 Grey heron 6 Redshank 1 Teal 15 Saline Lagoon Curlew 19 Carrier crow 1 Hawthorn Wood Bullfinch 18 Blue tit 8 Goldfinch 9 Redpoll 6 Dunnock 1
15 January 2019
Siskin along the South route
2 Bittern - main lake (North shore & close to Headley hide) 6 Pintail - main lake 1 Water Pipit - grazing marsh 3 Siskin - South route 1 Peregrine - hunting over the main lake 1 Kestrel - South route January bird highlights: Shelduck, Goldeneye, Bitt
15 January 2019
White-fronts in the Four Score again
Rushy Hide Good roost of Bewick's Swans with 110 birds on site. One of the satellite transmitter birds (Catalana) visited Gwent (Llandegfedd/Usk) over the weekend. Martin Smith Hide No reports of the Jack Snipe today but Common Snipe, Chiffchaff and Cetti
14 January 2019