Espie the Elf's Mischievous Migration
A Christmas elf named locally as Espie has been causing havoc at Castle Espie Wetland Centre near Comber.
Just like the increasingly popular Elf on the Shelf tradition played out in households across the globe, Espie the Elf has arrived from the North Pole and has been out and about on the nature reserve and up to mischief when he thought nobody was looking!
Volunteer photographer Nigel Snell captured on camera 10 Espie the Elf scenes which are printed as large scale photographs for children to discover in places like the bird hides, woodland area and in the Secret Swamp on Espie the Elf’s Christmas trail.
Commented on the unexpected visitor, Marketing and Communications Manager Kathryn Cochrane said:
“Espie the Elf has been up to all sorts, he’s been found pond dipping with a frying pan, drawing on the windows of the Limekiln Observatory and zip wiring across our Secret Swamp. We’re enjoying sharing stories with visitors about what their visiting elves have been doing in the run up to Christmas. After our Santa experience sold out in record time it’s great that we can also share this Christmas tradition with families on our beautiful nature reserve on the shores of Strangford Lough.”
Espie the Elf’s Christmas Trail is on until Thursday 31st December. In the Visitor Centre on the weekends running up to Christmas and on Monday 21st December visitors can also stop by the Castle Espie Post Office to post letters to Santa and a reindeer themed craft is also available with a £1 charge to cover materials.
Throughout December the coffee shop will be serving festive fare including kids and adults Christmas dinners, irresistible gingerbread lattes, luxurious hot chocolates and tempting Christmas cupcakes.
Castle Espie Wetland Centre will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day re-opening on Boxing Day from 10am to 5pm.
