News
Recent Sightings 3rd July 2023
The tide was slowly creeping up the Lough for the first count of July this year, bringing Oystercatcher and Black-headed gulls up to sit right in front of the Brent Hide. There were also Greenshank (pictured) out feeding on the Estuary. Greenshank are les
3 July 2023
Recent Sightings 26th June 2023
Bright blue skies and a cool breeze on the reserve today after thunderstorms, rain and lightning yesterday! The sunshine bought a Kingfisher out of hiding, making the most of the perfect fishing weather and spying over the Main Lake for small fish. The Tu
26 June 2023
Step into Summer at Castle Espie
Signs of summer are all around. From the reserve to the lakes and ponds to the woodland paths to fantastic events to keep everyone entertained.
22 June 2023
Recent Sightings 19th June 2023
The tide was on its way up the Lough this morning, bringing with it an array of waders, gulls and sea ducks. The Eider were out on the water with a large crèche of ducklings, moving up and down with the waves and the larger Greater black-backed gull was
19 June 2023
Recent Sightings 12th June 2023
Clear blue skies and sunny weather over Castle Espie for a beautiful June bird count. The tide was in, bring in all the Oystercatcher to the Shingle Bank and giving us a special glimpse of a Common seal swimming in the Lough off the end of the Pier. A few
13 June 2023
Recent Sightings 5th June 2023
There was a nice variety of birds to see out on the Main Lake this morning, from the tiny, diving Little grebe to the large, impressive Mute swans. The Shelduck family held center stage though with their 8 shelducklings! The Shelduck (pictured) is one of
5 June 2023
Recent Sightings 29th May 2023
With a high tide for the morning count, a small group of Eider (pictured) ducklings was visible out on the Lough from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory. These sturdy little ducklings can be seen in crèches, usually guarded by a number of adults
30 May 2023
Recent Sightings 22nd May 2023
The Limekiln balcony is the perfect viewing spot for migratory Sand martins (pictured) as they feed on the wing over the water. Sand martins over-winter in Africa, and arrive in the UK from March, staying until around October. Sand martins are smaller tha
22 May 2023
Recent Sightings 15th May 2023
The tide was in for this morning’s count, bringing a small group of Light-bellied brent geese to float just outside the Brent Hide windows on the waters of Strangford Lough. As the mudflats were underwater, the Shingle Bank and Wadermarsh welcomed in la
15 May 2023
Recent Sightings 8th May 2023
The first chicks are starting to show themselves on the reserve as little fluffy Moorhen chicks ran about on the Wadermarsh. The black-headed gulls are settling into their sites with eggs already in some nests. The Sedge warblers are singing strongly at t
9 May 2023
Quentin Blake art draws people to WWT Castle Espie
Reimagine the wonder of wetlands and nature through the eyes of the UK’s best loved illustrator – Quentin Blake at WWT Castle Espie from 18 May until February 2024, as part of a partnership Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT between renowned illustr
5 May 2023
Recent Sightings 24th April 2023
A lot of spring arrivals showed themselves this week for the count, either singing their hearts out or displaying in the air. Sandwich terns were showing off their beautiful aerial aerobatics over the Estuary just off the Peninsular Saltmarsh. Common tern
25 April 2023
Recent Sightings 17th April 2023
Out on the Main Lake this morning was a solo female Goldeneye and several very active and gregarious Black-headed gulls. Goldeneyes are diving ducks, and they feed on aquatic invertebrates, amphibians and small fish. They have a very striking golden eye a
17 April 2023
Recent Sightings 10th April 2023
Between the bouts of torrential rain and hail stones, there was a lot to see at Castle Espie and out on the Estuary for this count. The tide was in, therefore bringing large numbers of Black-tailed godwits onto the Shingle Bank, along with Knot and Dunlin
11 April 2023
Recent Sightings 3rd April 2023
There was a receding tide this morning as the mudflats of Strangford Lough were exposed to speedy waders and hungry geese – with small numbers of Brent still feeding on the Estuary before leaving and Shelduck starting to pair off together. Large group
3 April 2023