Latest sightings
Recent Sightings 4th October 2021
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie during a rising tide. Brent numbers continue to swell and they are the dominant sound on the estuary presently. In addition to the Brent, other geese species including the Gre
5 October 2021
Recent Sightings - 27th September 2021
The Brent are back! Large flocks of Brent are being seen are being seen on a daily a basis out on the estuary. The best time to see them is 2 hour before high tide, when the tide pushes them in close to the shore to feed. At this time, if your quiet you c
28 September 2021
Recent Sightings 6th September 2021
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie during a rising tide. With the arrival of the first Brent to the shores of Strangford Lough, there is a definite feel that the winter season has started. The change in seasons
7 September 2021
Recent Sightings 30th Aug 2021
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie during low tide. We still anticipate the imminent arrival of the first Brent to the shores of Strangford Lough, and this annual event is always a significant marker in the year
31 August 2021
Recent Sightings - 23rd August 2021
There was lots of activity this morning from everyone's favourite bejewelled beautiful birds, the Kingfishers. A pair of Kingfisher were seen not once, not twice but three separate times this morning! Darting across the surface of the the Main Lake, the S
23 August 2021
Recent Sightings - 16th August 2021
There are hints of the approaching autumn migration beginning to appear now. Curlew numbers are building on the Lough, the occasional Grey Plover and Lapwing are being seen regularly. Common Sandpiper and Willow Warbler were seen on the Freshwater Lagoon
16 August 2021
Recent Sightings 9th Aug 2021
The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie during low tide. Glimpses of the Kingfisher continue around the reserve and was spotted recently flying around the Main lake and Collection area, uncharacteristically dodging an
10 August 2021
Recent Sightings 2nd Aug 2021
The following sightings were taken yesterday from the reserve at Castle Espie during high tide. A Common Sandpiper and Kingfisher have been seen recently around a number of the lakes and ponds on site and worth taking a closer look to see if these not so
2 August 2021
Recent Sightings - 26th July 2021
As we head into late summer bird life enters a bit of a lull. Most birds having finished their breeding and are moulting their feathers so they keep themselves hidden and quiet. However there is a few hidden gems about the place to watch out for.The Gadwa
26 July 2021
Recent Sightings - 19th July 2021
Our lakes and lagoons may seem empty in the absence of the gulls, but keep your eyes peeled around the edges, especially on the islands: Kingfishers are being seen regularly around all the water bodies, Little Egrets are starting to return to their usual
19 July 2021
Recent Sightings 12th July 2021
The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie during low tide. The reserve is now relatively quiet compared to the last few months with most of the Black-headed gulls and terns now vacated their nesting areas.The Terns can
13 July 2021
Recent Sightings - 5th July 2021
At this time of year, get down to Castle Espie at high tide, to see one of our summer spectacles, the Oystercatcher roost. Oystercatchers are a very striking medium sized bird; with a black back and white belly, a long carrot-orange beak and long pink leg
5 July 2021
Recent Sightings 28th June 2021
The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a receding tide. A regular and common site currently on the Crannóg is the Moorhen family, sometimes referred to as ‘Waterhens’ or ‘Swamp chickens’. These birds ca
29 June 2021
Recent Sightings 21st June 2021
The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie at high tide. A breezy start to the week saw lots of gulls in the air around the reserve. Gulls have been a familiar feature on the reserve at Castle Epsie for a number of yea
21 June 2021
Recent Sightings 14th June 2021
The following sightings were taken on Monday from the reserve at Castle Espie on a low tide. The male Shoveler has now been joined by another on the Freshwater lagoon. In addition to these ducks there are also Teal, Tufted, Gadwall and Mallard, with the
17 June 2021