News
'Turning Tides' and 'Nests' Art Exhibition
Castle Espie’s Art Gallery, Ireland’s only environmental art space, is hosting an exhibition which will bring Strangford lough to life. ‘Turn Tides and Nests’ is the inspired title of a joint exhibition by artists, Amanda Bradbury and local arti
21 February 2012
From tall tales to making a nestbox, it's a packed month at Castle Espie
Bird Box Building The breeding season is upon us and your garden birds will be searching for suitable nest sites! Castle Espie have a whole lot on offer this half term so why not drop in to make your very own bird box
15 February 2012
Castle Espie through the Lens
mmm tasty by Paul Warwick Castle Espie Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Centre, WWT, located in Comber, County Down, has named the four regional winners in the autumn heat of its nationwide photography competition. From
12 January 2012
Castle Espie 'Here Comes Santa' Prize Winner
Castle Espie Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), were delighted to host Santa and his team of helpers last weekend with over 250 children from across the province eagerly waiting to meet the man himself. Families enjoyed a day of magical storytelling,
30 December 2011
Numbers getting higher and higher
A recent count has shown that numbers are increasing of Dunlin (400), Shoveler (45), Goldeneye (12), Knot (300) and especially Shelduck that has now reached 1050. There are still 200 Whooper swans on site as the winter gets into full swing.
29 November 2011
Results from recent bird count
We have undertaken a bird count at Castle Espie and I am really pleased with the number of birds on site at the moment. 400+ black-tailed godwit that are feeding on stubble and can be seen flying back and forth to the shore line 500 brent geese are still
17 November 2011
Cold weather brings an influx of waders and duck
We undertook a Brent geese count yesterday and there are just over 5000 geese still in the area but a lot have now moved further south to spend the rest of the winter. However, the recent cold weather has brought in an influx of smaller waders and duck in
8 November 2011
Enter the WWT photography competition
From shovelers at Slimbridge to Brent geese at Castle Espie (pictured) – the entries into the autumn heat of the WWT 2011-2012 Photography Competition are flooding in. As we hit the halfway mark of the autumn heat of the competition, there are just a
3 November 2011
WWT Castle Espie to host local photographic competition
One of the highlights of the local camera club photographic competition scene will take place on 18th November (7.30pm) when Castle Espie Wildlife Wetlands Centre near Comber, Co.Down, will be the host venue for the annual Roy Finlay Memorial Natural hist
3 November 2011
Brents arrive at Castle Espie
We are gearing up for October here at Castle Espie Wetland Centre and, with the arrival of the brents and an early visit from whooper swans, Autumn is upon us. Brent goose numbers are building with nearly 14,000 on the Lough on 14 September. These numbers
24 October 2011
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
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
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
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
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