News
Recent Sightings - 8th April 2019
Over the past few weeks we've been blessed to have lots of Black-tailed Godwit on the reserve for the last couple of weeks. They can be seen roosting and feeding on the Wadermarsh and also on the mudflats on front of the Brent discovery hide.These birds a
8 April 2019
Recent Sighting - 1st April 2019
This week on the Estuary in front of Castle Espie, we've had a large influx of Light-bellied Brent Geese. These birds are gathering together and getting in some last minute feeding, before braving the 2500km trip to their Arctic breeding grounds in Canada
1 April 2019
Recent Sightings - 25th March
The reserve is becoming a hive of activity again for some of our most important breeding birds; Black-headed Gulls. Castle Espie's reserve hosts one of the largest colonies in Northern Ireland, so it's great to see the birds back again scouting out their
25 March 2019
Recent Sightings - 18th March 2019
As the days get longer, most of our winter visitors begin to disperse and disappear; the duck flocks on the main lake are much reduced, there is only a handful of Brent on the estuary and the Little Grebes are becoming elusive once more. However the tides
18 March 2019
Recent Sightings - 11th March 2019
Spring is well underway despite the recent blizzard! Lots of Passerine birds are singing and defending territories, corvids are collecting nest material, but the most conspicuous sign of spring is the displaying Coots. Coots are becoming very territorial
11 March 2019
Recent Sightings - 4th March 2019
Now that we are moving into Spring, lots of waders and wildfowl are beginning to congregate around Strangford lough; Brent gathering before they migrate back to arctic Canada, immature Oystercatchers gathering in preparation for flocking together in the s
4 March 2019
Recent Sightings - 18th February 2019
Strangford Lough is an incredible rich place for lots of different wader species. One of our most frequent, abundant and visible visitors during the winter is the rather dainty Redshank. Striking and diagnostic red legs make this a bird easily identified
18 February 2019
Recent Sightings - 11th February 2019
Another under appreciated wee gem that's very visible at Castle Espie at this time of year is the Gadwall.
11 February 2019
Recent Sightings - 3rd February 2019
This week i thought I'd highlight one of our most conspicuous and yet overlooked residents; the Moorhen. These "water chicken" like birds are found around are commonly found on wetlands in the UK and Ireland, wading in the edges of ponds and lakes with th
4 February 2019
Recent Sightings - 28th January 2019
Count taken at low tide on the morning of 28/1/19.Two birds which have been infrequent visitors to Castle Espie this winter, but very rarely show up on this weekly count, are Redpoll and Siskin. (Redpoll above)These two species aren't found at Castle Espi
28 January 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