News
Wildlife sightings for 12th July 2016
1 Arctic Tern - main lake 3 Common Tern adults and 2 juvs - main lake 1 Chiffchaff juv and 3 adults - south route 1 Kingfisher - sheltered lagoon 35 Swift - main lake July bird highlights: Little Egret, Shelduck, Whimbrel, Hobby, Redshank, Green Sa
12 July 2016
No entry to Spring Gill today (12/07/16)
We’re undertaking essential work at Window on the Wear today which involves some heavy plant machinery - unfortunately this means that the fox proof gates into Spring Gill and the amphibian ponds will be closed for the day. The rest of the site includin
12 July 2016
Latest Sightings
Mostly murky rain today opening up the prospect of one or two waders dropping in as they make there ways south. Two Green Sandpiper from the Kingfisher Hide this morning and at least one there in the afternoon with a Little Egret close by. Avocet numbers
11 July 2016
Today's sightings
Rushy Pen Hide A Little-ringed Plover was feeding on the mud along with 10+ mobile Green Sandpiper. Tack Piece/Robbie Garnett Hide Six Lapwing and 7 Green Sandpiper feeding on the scrape. Holden Tower A Marsh Harrier was hunting the Dumbles before eventua
11 July 2016
The Kingfisher Kitchen 'Takes Flight' at Castle Espie
Nestled in a quiet corner on the North West shore of Strangford Lough at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, the Kingfisher Kitchen is a hidden gem with unrivalled and uninterrupted views of the nature reserve’s lake across to Scrabo Tower. View from The
11 July 2016
'The Week That Was' at Castle Espie
Summer has arrived at Castle Espie but the sunshine doesn’t seem to have arrived with it – luckily our ducks and birds enjoy the rain and it looks like all of our visitors like it too! Eyevan Dinsmore's duaghter enjoys walking with the ducks in the r
11 July 2016
Monday July 11th update
Little change from yesterday, with the addition of five returning Black-tailed Godwits, resplendent in breeding plumage still, on The Folly Pond Today's high tide is at 18:01, 7.8m Around the reserve today: Wildflowers Red Clover White Clover Red Campio
11 July 2016
Wildlife sightings - 11/07/16
a.m. Tide level: High Wader Lake Avocet 20 + 11 young Tern 101 + 23 young Grey heron 4 Tufted duck 4 + 15 young Oystercatcher 8 Redshank 15 Shelduck 2 + 7 young Lapwing 5 Black headed gull 2 Saline Lagoon Common sandpiper 1 Oystercatcher 3 Lapwing 15 Blac
11 July 2016
Wildlife sightings for 11th July 2016
1 Common Sandpiper - marsh 7 Teal - scrape 2 Kingfisher - sheltered lagoon 1 Whitethroat - singing by sand martin bank July bird highlights: Little Egret, Shelduck, Whimbrel, Hobby, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover
11 July 2016
Today's highlights
Green sandpiper - 4 (main hide) Avocet Lapwing Greenshank - 1 (viewed from the road South of the centre at Hobby Cottage) Dunlin - 1 (viewed from the road South of the centre at Hobby Cottage) Whooper swan pair with 2 cygnets Shoveler Mallard Swift House
11 July 2016
Nature photography gallery
Wildlife and nature photographer, Kevin Sawford, has his work on display in the gallery throughout July and August. A selection of framed, mounted and un-mounted prints, as well as cards, showcase the fantastic way he captures some of the UK's most icon
10 July 2016
Today's sighting's
WADER LAKE / AM /HIGH TIDE Avocet - 36 Little Ringed Plover - 2 + 2 Juv Lapwing - 18 Oystercatcher - 6 Redshank - 14 Common Sandpiper - 1 Common Tern - 220 Grey Heron - 22 SALINE LAGOON / AM Common Sandpiper - 3 Black-headed Gull - 68 Lapwing - 40
10 July 2016
Today's highlights
South Lake Wood Sandpiper- the adult is still on site and favouring the exposed wet mud on the wader scrape. See image below. Also on the South Lake- 30+ Gadwall, of which many are now in wing moult. 89 Black-tailed Godwit and 50 Redshank (includes one f
10 July 2016
Today's highlights
Pectoral sandpiper - 1 (Bank Farm viewed near Hobby Cottage) Green sandpiper - 3 main lagoon Spoonbill - 1 flew South Cuckoo calling Avocet & juveniles Redshank & juveniles Oystercatcher Lapwing Shelduck & juveniles Whitethroat Reed warbler Se
10 July 2016
Update, Sunday July 10th
Two Blackcaps in full song down The Avenue. Three young Dabchicks viewable from The Teal Pond Hide, though it's best not to linger too long as despite fledging their first brood, the Swallows there look like going for another. Today's high tide is at
10 July 2016