News
Call to clean up Lough Neagh
As a charity who campaigns for healthy wetlands, we are calling for immediate action to clean up Lough Neagh, one of the UK’s most important wetlands, providing 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water. Healthy wetlands, such as lakes, rivers a
22 September 2023
New EV charge points at WWT Castle Espie
There are now around 660,000 electric vehicles on the UK roads and 445,000 plug in hybrids. 1 in 6 new cars purchased in the UK in 2022 was an all electric. The RAC estimates that around 80% of electrical vehicle charging happens at home but public charge
6 September 2023
WWT Castle Espie calls on NI nature lovers to make a big splash for wildlife
From drainpipe wetlands to bogs in backyards, WWT Castle Espie is encouraging everyone in Northern Ireland to make a big splash for nature by building nature-rich mini-wetlands where they live, no matter how small or how built up the area. The charity is
27 July 2023
Your guide to a rainy-day adventure at Castle Espie
Your guide to a rainy-day adventure at Castle Espie
21 July 2023
Environmental management certification awarded to WWT Castle Espie
We are delighted to announce that Castle Espie are the first centre in the WWT to be awarded the prestigious ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management.
13 July 2023
Become a Wetlands detective this Easter at Castle Espie
Join WWT Castle Espie for a quacking family day out as a Wetland Detective 6th -16th April, 11 - 1pm and 2 - 4pm each day. Explore, discover, put your senses to the test to succeed and complete the trail this Easter. Investigate underwater mysteries, fo
31 March 2023
Castle Espie to host BBC Two's Autumnwatch 2021
WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre has been selected as one of three live locations across the UK to host BBC Two’s popular wildlife programme Autumnwatch. Following on from the huge success of BBC Springwatch earlier this year the watchers will again be
22 October 2021
Winter Migration Festival
It’s one of the most dramatic wildlife events of the year - and the public are being invited to come along and see the action for themselves. A phenomenal 28,000 Brent geese make the gruelling 3,000 mile trek from Arctic Canada to our very own St
20 October 2021
Fall for nature’s spectacle at WWT Castle Espie this Autumn
Just as wetlands offer sanctuary to thousands of animals over the colder months, they also make the perfect place to safely escape the everyday and appreciate one of nature’s greatest shows - autumn.
14 October 2020
Vote to ban lead ammunition shot down again as dirty tricks prevail
Lead ban on hold yet again as last minute objection derails plans.
15 July 2020
Today's Sightings
Bewick’s swan Mute swan Whooper swan Canada goose Greylag goose White-fronted goose Gadwall Goldeneye Mallard Pintail Pochard Teal Tufted duck Shelduck Shoveler Wigeon Cattle egret Crane Great egret Little egret Cormorant Coot Moorhen Black-tailed godwi
16 January 2019
Wildlife sightings 16/01/19
a.m. mid/high tide Wader Lake Grey heron 3 Shoveler 4 male, 1 female Mute swan 2 Shelduck 9 Tufted duck Water rail (heard at Prince's Trust hide) Teal 15 Saline lagoon Teal 3 Hawthorn Wood Lesser redpoll 4 Mealy redpoll Brambling 10 Nuthatch Treecreeper G
16 January 2019
Chiffchaff overwintering in Wildside
1 Bittern - main lake 4 Pintail - main lake, reservoir lagoon 1 Water Pipit - grazing marsh 1 Shelduck - main lake 4 Snipe - wader scrape 1 Chiffchaff - Wildside January bird highlights: Shelduck, Goldeneye, Bittern, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit,
16 January 2019
Great Whites
Martin Smith Hide Chiffchaff calling from the nearby trees, two birds have been seen here lately and are probably roosting in the ivy. The Jack Snipe made another appearance along with 5 Common Snipe, if you don't see it first time it's well worth return
15 January 2019
Today's Sightings
Bewick’s swan Whooper swan Mute swan Greylag Canada goose Tundra bean goose (x3) Shelduck Shoveler Mallard Pintail Gadwall Wigeon Teal Ringed teal (escapee) Pochard Tufted duck Moorhen Crane x 4 (Friends hide) Great egret Cattle egret (following sheep o
15 January 2019