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The duckery tour begins . . .

The duckery tour begins . . .

Ducklings hatching at this time of year make Castle Espie Duckery Tours a day out to remember. With the largest captive bird collection anywhere in Ireland, you will see many breeds which you quite simply, won’t see anywhere else! Every Saturday and Sun

7 June 2011

Lesser flamingo activity!

Lesser flamingo activity!

I am sure many of you are currently thinking, "what's going on at the Lesser house?" After hatching out Hope just a few years ago, the Lessers have not looked good to breed ever since. As an aged group their favourite activities include feeding, washing,

5 June 2011

Emergency mission to save remarkable bird from extinction

Emergency mission to save remarkable bird from extinction

An international team of conservationists has flown out to the Russian Far East on an emergency mission to help save one of the world’s rarest birds from extinction. The spoon-billed sandpiper is a unique and remarkable bird, but its shocking drop in nu

3 June 2011

Updates on the move!

Updates on the move!

Just a flying note to update you all on Duckery activity so far this year... WOW is it busy?!! We have had the biggest May boom for years with the Duckery literally overflowing with birds. A stunning 22 North American black duck hatched within 3 days, an

3 June 2011

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live at Castle Espie – Day 5... The Finale!

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live at Castle Espie – Day 5... The Finale!

Well what a week it’s been here at Castle Espie and what a fantastic hour long finale to end an amazing five days. We started with 6km of cable at the beginning of the week and now the BBC have used all the cable they brought with them, in ever increas

28 May 2011

Come to Downy duckling days!

Come to Downy duckling days!

Every year the Slimbridge Duckery opens its doors for just 10 days glorious to celebrate the joys of the duckling season... Running from 11-4 daily from the 28th May - 5th June (and henceforth once daily until mid June) the tours will allow you to witness

28 May 2011

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live – Castle Espie Day 4

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live – Castle Espie Day 4

Last night’s penultimate programme saw Kerry, our blue tit family and, of course, Dot the undisputed stars of the show once again. Although a stiff north-westerly made May feel like March, the benefit of on-site bird hides gave shelter from the breeze

27 May 2011

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live – Castle Espie Day 2

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live – Castle Espie Day 2

Two shows in now and we’re all getting in our stride here at Castle Espie, positively revelling in our “as seen on TV” status! Another fantastic live programme last night, with thankfully calmer winds and no rain this time...fingers crossed for toni

27 May 2011

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live – Castle Espie Day 3

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live – Castle Espie Day 3

Well, Tuesday’s brief reprieve in the weather hasn’t really held as much as we’d have liked. The blustery winds returned and grey skies prevailed for much of yesterday (Wednesday) but that wasn’t going to dampen the mood - at at least it stayed dr

26 May 2011

Raise a glass (and cash) for geese and wetlands

Raise a glass (and cash) for geese and wetlands

WWT is delighted to announce a new way for our members and supporters to help our global conservation work and many will also be pleased to hear that it involves enjoying one of Scotland’s finest Highland single malt Scotch whiskies. Glengoyne Highland

26 May 2011

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live - Day 1

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live - Day 1

The BBC1 NI Wild Week team were quite literally blown away on the first evening of filming Wild Week at Castle Espie last night! Apart from the stunning views which are always guaranteed to take your breath away, the 70 mph gusts and the impending rain ad

24 May 2011

BBC prepare for week's filming at Castle Espie

BBC prepare for week's filming at Castle Espie

BBC Northern Ireland's Wild Week Live team have been busy preparing for a week-long broadcast event coming live from WWT Castle Espie. Starting tonight at 7pm (Monday 23 May), four half hour programmes celebrating the rich wildlife in Northern Ireland wil

23 May 2011

Don’t let lawless Britain become a threat to wildlife - WWT calls on supporters for help

Don’t let lawless Britain become a threat to wildlife - WWT calls on supporters for help

A new Government initiative has put all of the 278 laws* protecting wildlife and the environment at risk. The recent launch of its controversial Red Tape Challenge (RTC) aims to ‘reduce the burden of regulation’ because it has ‘hurt business, doing

19 May 2011

Chelsea show garden heading for Slimbridge

Chelsea show garden heading for Slimbridge

Royal Bank of Canada today announced that a permanent home has been secured for the “RBC New Wild Garden” following its appearance at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2011. After starring at Chelsea, The RBC New Wild Garden will be moved to Slimbridge Wetl

16 May 2011

Quack Factor celebrates the duck!

Quack Factor celebrates the duck!

Half term family fun at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre from May 28 through to June 5. Everybody loves ducks! What is it about these creatures that people find so appealing? Is it their waddling gait, their amusing vocals, the metallic hues of their feathers?

13 May 2011