News
Recent Sightings 23rd April 2024
More summer visitors arrived on the Reserve this week, with a pair of Common terns (pictured) making their presence known by calling loudly to one another over Saline Lagoon. Fishing on the lake using their aerial acrobatics and skillful flying makes it e
25 April 2024
Recent Sightings 15th April 2024
The first Swallows (pictured) have arrived on the Reserve after their long migration from Southern Africa, marking that spring is in full swing! These beautiful, aerial acrobats arrive in spring for breeding season, and stay here until October, when they
15 April 2024
Recent Sightings 8th April 2024
The Reserve was full of the signs of Spring this morning for the count, as the tide slowly came up Strangford Lough, bringing Eider, Red-breasted merganser and Great-crested grebe into view. The Limekiln Observatory is a great place to see these species a
8 April 2024
Recent Sightings 1st April 2024
There were lots of Mute swans (pictured) to be seen all around Castle Espie on this count, either gracefully gliding through the water on the Main Lake or flying over the Reserve with their characteristically loud wing beats. Mute swans are the largest of
2 April 2024
Recent Sightings 25th March 2024
The tide was just coming up to the Brent Hide late this morning, bringing with it groups of Black-tailed godwit, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Brent geese. A few Dunlin and Grey plover were dotted about amongst the other waders, feeding on the mudflats desp
25 March 2024
The best signs of Spring to look out for at Castle Espie
Wood sorrel. Credit: Jonny Clark Spring at Castle Espie is a magical time when nature bursts into a symphony of colours and life. Picture the landscape transforming into a kaleidoscope of hues as it teems with new beginnings. Here’s a taste of the be
22 March 2024
Bing and Flop are coming to WWT Castle Espie this Spring!
Bing and Flop, from the multi-award-winning animated children's television series, will be coming to WWT Castle Espie in a couple of weeks as part of ‘Bing’s Nature Explorers’ - a new joint event programme between WWT and independent creative studio
21 March 2024
Recent Sightings 11th March 2024
The tide was almost fully in for this morning’s count, meaning there was an amazing variety of waders out on the Estuary, and The Brent Hide is the perfect place to view them from as the water creeps up to the seawall. A large flock of Bar-tailed godwit
11 March 2024
Recent Sightings 4th March 2024
With an icy cold wind and the tide all the way out, this morning’s count was lacking a few of our usual residents – but there’s always something to see in nature! Despite the chill there was a Kingfisher on the Main Lake, making the most of the clea
4 March 2024
Recent Sightings 26th February 2024
Our rare visitor is still here! A Spotted redshank, an unusual sight at Castle Espie, seems to be sticking around the area for a while, often seen either on the Estuary or the Wadermarsh – both habitats can be seen perfectly from the Brent Hide on the R
27 February 2024
Recent Sightings 19th February 2024
Exciting news – a rare bird alert! This past week we’ve had a Spotted redshank (pictured) roaming through the waters of the Wadermarsh, feeding alongside Greenshank, Common redshank and Black-tailed godwits. Easily visible from the Brent Hide on the
20 February 2024
Recent Sightings 12th February 2024
Lots of variety on the Reserve and out on the Lough for this count, with lots of waders coming in with the tide and some of our favourite woodland birds making an appearance. Large numbers of Oystercatcher, Knot and Dunlin were out feeding on the mudflats
13 February 2024
Unmissable up-close encounters with our birds: the new walk-in aviary is here!
Ross's goose. Credit: Lesley BarkerThis week, our team have been busy adding the final touches to our new walk-in aviary – just in time for The Big Hideout! This means our fantastic collection birds are no longer netted off from our visitors. Instead,
9 February 2024
Feathered family fun: join our festival of bird-themed events for February half-term
WWT Castle Espie will be hosting a fun-filled festival of bird-themed events for February half-term, giving families a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get up close with the UK’s greatest winter wildlife. Taking place from Monday 12 to Friday 16 February
8 February 2024
Recent Sightings 5th February 2024
The tide was slowly creeping out for this count, providing lots of waders and wildfowl that could easily be seen from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory. Large numbers of Knot were feeding on the mudflats with smaller Dunlin mixed into the group.
7 February 2024