News

'Turning Tides' and 'Nests' Art Exhibition

'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

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

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 '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

Enter the WWT photography competition

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

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

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 . . .

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!

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

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

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

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

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live - Day 1

Sneak behind the scenes at BBC Wild Week Live - Day 1

The BBC1 NI Wild Week team were quite literally blown away on the first evening of filming Wild Week at Castle Espie last night! Apart from the stunning views which are always guaranteed to take your breath away, the 70 mph gusts and the impending rain ad

24 May 2011

BBC prepare for week's filming at Castle Espie

BBC prepare for week's filming at Castle Espie

BBC Northern Ireland's Wild Week Live team have been busy preparing for a week-long broadcast event coming live from WWT Castle Espie. Starting tonight at 7pm (Monday 23 May), four half hour programmes celebrating the rich wildlife in Northern Ireland wil

23 May 2011

May events at Castle Espie

May events at Castle Espie

May 2011 It’s wild at Castle Espie – from plasticine to Mesolithic man! May beckons and with warmer weather just around the corner, Castle Espie Wetland Centre outside Comber has a few unusual events planned for the month. An early start at 6pm on Sa

6 May 2011