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Recent Sightings 7th Feb 2022

Recent Sightings 7th Feb 2022

The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a low tide. The Green-winged teal is continuing to remain amongst the flock of Teal on the reserve, and can be best viewed on the shingle bank while loafing on the edge. We

10 February 2022

Recent Sightings 31st Jan 2022

Recent Sightings 31st Jan 2022

The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a high tide. Many will be very familiar with the common sight of Eurasian teal on the reserve. They have started to come into the reserve in numbers in recent years, and al

1 February 2022

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA visits Castle Espie

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA visits Castle Espie

Environment Minister visits Castle Espie

28 January 2022

Recent Sightings 17th Jan 2022

Recent Sightings 17th Jan 2022

The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a rising tide. This time of year provides an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Kingfisher on the reserve, which always adds a bit of colour to the damp, grey days. Duri

18 January 2022

Castle Espie to host BBC Two’s Winterwatch 2022

Castle Espie to host BBC Two’s Winterwatch 2022

​WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre has been selected as one of three live locations across the UK to host BBC Two’s popular wildlife programme Winterwatch.

14 January 2022

Recent Sightings 10th Jan 2022

Recent Sightings 10th Jan 2022

The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a low tide. As we are in the middle of winter, and the day length is short, the movement of migrating birds has slowed down, with many birds settled in their wintering spots

11 January 2022

Recent Sightings 3rd Jan 2022

Recent Sightings 3rd Jan 2022

The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a rising tide. Teal continue to be a familiar sight on the reserve, having established a few years ago. These small ducks can be seen mainly on the edge of the Shingle bank,

4 January 2022

Castle Espie - A History in Pictures

Castle Espie - A History in Pictures

A History in Pictures exhibition

31 December 2021

Recent Sightings 20th Dec 2021

Recent Sightings 20th Dec 2021

The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a rising tide. A fairly familiar sight around most of the north coast is the Eider duck with a resident population on Strangford Lough that swells during the winter with loc

22 December 2021

Recent Sightings 13th Dec 2021

Recent Sightings 13th Dec 2021

The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a high tide. A calmer start to the week, with the shore birds settling back to their old haunts after the stormy weather last week. The number of Brent on the Lough has vis

14 December 2021

Recent Sightings 6th Dec 2021

Recent Sightings 6th Dec 2021

The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a high tide. A blustery start to the week with many of the wintering geese, ducks and waders hunkering down to avoid the worst of the weather. The hide tide brings those bi

7 December 2021

Recent Sightings 29th Nov 2021

Recent Sightings 29th Nov 2021

The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a high tide. There are still good number of geese and duck on the estuary with Teal now a familiar sight on the Wadermarsh, Shingle bank and Main lake. Wigeon have also bee

30 November 2021

Recent Sightings 23rd Nov 2021

Recent Sightings 23rd Nov 2021

The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a rising tide. The WeBS counts have resumed this year, with the 2nd count on Sunday past. The wintering birds are returning in numbers to the Lough including good numbers o

24 November 2021

‘Exceptional’ Natural Capital of Ards and North Down recognised

‘Exceptional’ Natural Capital of Ards and North Down recognised

The WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre in Co. Down was selected as one of the locations to host BBC Two’s popular wildlife programme, Autumnwatch. Ards and North Down Deputy Mayor, Councillor Robert Adair, paid tribute to the work of conservation charity

3 November 2021

Castle Espie to host BBC Two's Autumnwatch 2021

Castle Espie to host BBC Two's Autumnwatch 2021

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre has been selected as one of three live locations across the UK to host BBC Two’s popular wildlife programme Autumnwatch. Following on from the huge success of BBC Springwatch earlier this year the watchers will again be

22 October 2021