Centre Closed Sat 23rd Nov

Due to adverse weather conditions and in the interests of staff and visitor safety, WWT Castle Espie will be closed on Saturday 23rd November. We apologise for any inconvenience.

More

Close alert

Castle Espie news

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

BBC’s Wild Week Live coming from WWT Castle Espie in May

BBC’s Wild Week Live coming from WWT Castle Espie in May

WWT Castle Espie is set to become the centre piece of a BBC Northern Ireland week-long broadcast event called Wild Week Live. The TV and radio extravaganza taking place at the end of May, which will celebrate the rich wildlife resident around Northern Ir

3 May 2011

Kate Mitchell

Kate Mitchell

Nature in graphic detail A stunning photographic exhibition will open at the Graffan Gallery, at Castle Espie Wetland Centre, outside Comber in County Down, on Saturday 14 May and run until Monday 31 May 2011. Featured artist, Kate Mitchell will bring an

21 April 2011

There is no such thing as an ugly duckling!

There is no such thing as an ugly duckling!

There is no such thing as an ugly duckling at WWT Castle Espie Come for an eggstra special day out and support conservation WWT Castle Espie is inviting parents in Northern Ireland to treat their families to a day out with a difference this Easter. Spring

19 April 2011

All island first for wildlife art

All island first for wildlife art

Castle Espie’s Graffan Gallery, Ireland’s only environmental art space, is hosting an exhibition which will bring together the art world’s Irish wildlife painters. Running from Saturday 17 September to Sunday 2 October 2011, the exhibition will be a

12 April 2011

Royal Ulster Academy at the Graffan Gallery

Royal Ulster Academy at the Graffan Gallery

As part of the Royal Ulster Academy’s (RUA) aim to engage with the broader public, a select number of Academy members will exhibit at the Graffan Gallery from the 22 April to the 8 May 2011. The exhibition focuses on two-dimensional works which incorpor

12 April 2011

Relaxation in store at sanctuary

Relaxation in store at sanctuary

Long connected with water, the conservation of wetlands and the importance of retaining inner tranquility through the natural environment, Castle Espie Wetland Centre, outside Comber, is the ideal platform to welcome a unique one day event for women, offe

29 March 2011