Castle Espie news

Castle Espie Wetland Centre to re-open on 7 July

Castle Espie Wetland Centre to re-open on 7 July

We are pleased to announce that Castle Espie Wetland Centre will re-open on Wednesday 7 July

30 June 2020

Northern Ireland’s only giant LEGO® brick wetland animal trail returns to Castle Espie

Northern Ireland’s only giant LEGO® brick wetland animal trail returns to Castle Espie

Back by popular demand, Northern Ireland’s only giant LEGO® brick wetland animal trail returns to WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre in Comber, Co. Down from the 29th February to 19th April.

4 March 2020

Make a Splash at the Northern Ireland Puddle Jumping Championships 2020

Make a Splash at the Northern Ireland Puddle Jumping Championships 2020

Back by popular demand, the Northern Ireland Puddle Jumping Championships return this February half term to WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre from Saturday 15 to Thursday 20 February.

4 February 2020

Wetland Conservation Charity Encourages Support of Local Wetland Centre on World Wetlands Day

Wetland Conservation Charity Encourages Support of Local Wetland Centre on World Wetlands Day

On Sunday 2 February people across the globe will celebrate World Wetlands Day, highlighting the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet. From the Arctic to the tropics, to a small corner of the shores of Strangford Lough, wetlands can be foun

31 January 2020

Escape to a Winter Wildlife Wonderland this Christmas

Escape to a Winter Wildlife Wonderland this Christmas

With 60 adventure-filled acres of wildlife brilliance and spectacular views across Strangford Lough, Christmas is a fantastic time to visit WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre.

2 December 2019

Prepare to be spellbound this Halloween at Castle Espie

Prepare to be spellbound this Halloween at Castle Espie

Wrap up warm this autumn and spend some time in our extraordinary wetland getting close to a wide range of species, playing with the leaves under your feet or participating in some spooky fun.

15 October 2019

Look who's back!

Look who's back!

The last few days of August, saw the first Light-Bellied Brent Geese recorded on Strangford Lough this season. So far more than a dozen completed their epic journey from the Arctic and landed safely on the Lough, lured back by the life giving eelgrass. A

7 September 2018

Recent Sightings €- 3rd September 2018

Recent Sightings €- 3rd September 2018

The following sightings were recorded today at Mid tide from the reserve at Castle Espie. They have returned! After flying over 2500 miles from their breeding grounds in Arctic Canada Brent Geese have returned to their wintering ground in Strangford Lough

3 September 2018

Bank holiday fun at Castle Espie

Bank holiday fun at Castle Espie

  Join us before our summer of wetland adventures draws to a close! On Saturday, our expert guides will show you to construct a real woodland den, using bendy willow for walls as part we host Den Building sessions b

24 August 2018

Say cheese!

Say cheese!

Throughout June and July, our reserve team monitored the numbers of predators on-site, through camera traps. Red Fox  These cameras were placed around the woodland, secret swamp, saline lagoon and limestone lake. Thi

10 August 2018

Beautiful butterflies

Beautiful butterflies

This year's weather has led to a boom in the numbers of butterflies and moths being recorded at Castle Espie, which was great news for our first ever Butterfly Walk in July! Visitors explored the reserve alongside Reserve Warden Ross. Sightings on the day

30 July 2018

Appeal for missing Mandarin duckling

Appeal for missing Mandarin duckling

Earlier this week, a Mandarin duckling was taken from inside our newly renovated outdoor Duckery. Sadly, we believe this happened between 2pm and 3pm on Monday 16 July, just hours after our five Mandarin ducklings had graduated from indoors. We're contin

19 July 2018

Welcome to the world little ones

Welcome to the world little ones

There are many reasons to love the spring and summer time; sunshine, flowers, butterflies and of course, plenty of fluffy ducklings and gorgeous goslings! Over the past three months, our Avic team have welcomed dozens of new arrivals into our newly renov

8 July 2018

Filming with the BBC

Filming with the BBC

Over the past week, we've been delighted to welcome two separate BBC teams to Castle Espie. Avic Warden Kez and Reserve Manager Maurice spent time showing Ruth Sanderson and her team from 'Home Ground' around the site, explaining some of the vital works

5 July 2018

Join us for a summer of wetland adventures!

Join us for a summer of wetland adventures!

Dusty's Wildlife Rangers, Sun 1 July - Fri 31 August This is your chance to become a Wildlife Ranger. There are lots of exciting challenges waiting for you, from bug hunting to bird-feeding. You’re sure to have a quacking time! A great place to start y

25 June 2018