News
Recent Sightings 3rd June 2024
The tide was fully in for this week’s count, pushing lots of birds into the reserve to roost and feed whilst the waters of Strangford Lough lapped against the seawall. Large numbers of Oystercatcher and Common gull are coming in and settling down on the
7 June 2024
Volunteers’ Week: Learning Team help over 1,600 NI schoolchildren connect with nature
It’s Volunteers’ Week, and we’re celebrating the achievements of our Learning Team at Castle Espie, made possible by amazing support from volunteers! Through Generation Wild, a project spearheaded by WWT, 15,474 nature activities have been comple
3 June 2024
Recent Sightings 27th May 2024
The tide was completely out for this morning’s count around the Reserve. Shelduck and Greylag geese swam peacefully across the Main Lake, providing a picture perfect view from the Turtle Hide in the Sensory Garden. Moorhen and Coot chicks are getting bi
27 May 2024
Recent Sightings 21st May 2024
Castle Espie was bathed in warm spring sunshine for this count, and the chicks and ducklings were out in force. Small, chirping Coot, Moorhen and Mallard offspring were visible all over the Reserve – either swimming on our lakes or trailing after mum do
22 May 2024
Recent Sightings 13th May 2024
The tide was way out for this mornings count on the reserve, which meant waders including Curlew, Oystercatcher, and Bar-tailed godwit were busy feeding on the exposed mudflats. Light-bellied brent geese grazed alongside Shelduck, and Common terns were fl
13 May 2024
Recent Sightings 6th May 2024
The tide was in for this week’s count, which brought a large group of Great-crested grebe within view of the Brent Hide. Great-crested grebe are the largest species of grebe that we get in the UK, and with their long, slender necks and elaborate head pl
7 May 2024
Recent Sightings 29th April 2024
Despite the unpleasant weather on Monday, the Reserve still had a great variety of birds on full view from the safety of our hides. A male Shoveler was feeding on the Main Lake, underneath Swallows swooping back and forth over the Shingle bank and over to
30 April 2024
Recent Sightings 23rd April 2024
More summer visitors arrived on the Reserve this week, with a pair of Common terns (pictured) making their presence known by calling loudly to one another over Saline Lagoon. Fishing on the lake using their aerial acrobatics and skillful flying makes it e
25 April 2024
Recent Sightings 15th April 2024
The first Swallows (pictured) have arrived on the Reserve after their long migration from Southern Africa, marking that spring is in full swing! These beautiful, aerial acrobats arrive in spring for breeding season, and stay here until October, when they
15 April 2024
Recent Sightings 8th April 2024
The Reserve was full of the signs of Spring this morning for the count, as the tide slowly came up Strangford Lough, bringing Eider, Red-breasted merganser and Great-crested grebe into view. The Limekiln Observatory is a great place to see these species a
8 April 2024
Recent Sightings 1st April 2024
There were lots of Mute swans (pictured) to be seen all around Castle Espie on this count, either gracefully gliding through the water on the Main Lake or flying over the Reserve with their characteristically loud wing beats. Mute swans are the largest of
2 April 2024
Recent Sightings 25th March 2024
The tide was just coming up to the Brent Hide late this morning, bringing with it groups of Black-tailed godwit, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Brent geese. A few Dunlin and Grey plover were dotted about amongst the other waders, feeding on the mudflats desp
25 March 2024
The best signs of Spring to look out for at Castle Espie
Wood sorrel. Credit: Jonny Clark Spring at Castle Espie is a magical time when nature bursts into a symphony of colours and life. Picture the landscape transforming into a kaleidoscope of hues as it teems with new beginnings. Here’s a taste of the be
22 March 2024
Bing and Flop are coming to WWT Castle Espie this Spring!
Bing and Flop, from the multi-award-winning animated children's television series, will be coming to WWT Castle Espie in a couple of weeks as part of ‘Bing’s Nature Explorers’ - a new joint event programme between WWT and independent creative studio
21 March 2024
Recent Sightings 11th March 2024
The tide was almost fully in for this morning’s count, meaning there was an amazing variety of waders out on the Estuary, and The Brent Hide is the perfect place to view them from as the water creeps up to the seawall. A large flock of Bar-tailed godwit
11 March 2024