News
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
Duck the stress this World Wetlands Day and visit WWT Castle Espie for a moment of calm
This World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2024, WWT Castle Espie wants everyone to duck the stress of modern living and visit their local wetland for a moment of calm. World Wetlands Day is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the vital role of wetlands
31 January 2024
Recent Sightings 29th January 2024
The tide was just starting to creep in for this mornings count, bringing into view Eider ducks and Goldeneye on the Strangford Lough waters. Large groups of Shelduck were on the mudflats, feeding on invertebrates and plant matter in the sand, alongside th
29 January 2024
Recent Sightings 22nd January 2024
After Storm Isha on Sunday night, the count on Monday morning seemed more like a roll call to see which birds hadn’t been blown away in the wind! Luckily, lots of our favourite visitors to the reserve managed to brave the stormy weather and hunker down
24 January 2024
'Weaving' nature, heritage skills, and mental health for Inspiring Textiles project
Newtownards based social enterprise Inspiring Yarns has been awarded a £99,927 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to implement a project called Inspiring Textiles at WWT Castle Espie. Inspiring Textiles at WWT Castle Espie will significantly f
18 January 2024
Recent Sightings 15th January 2024
Such a beautiful, crisp morning for a count, and although the wind was icy cold, there were stunning views over the Reserve and out onto Strangford Lough. The tide was out, and mixed flocks of Brent geese and Shelduck were busy feeding on the exposed mudf
16 January 2024
Recent Sightings 8th January 2024
A very cold and windy count rewarded us with some unusual visitors on the Main Lake – a pair of Red-breasted mergansers (pictured). These sawbills are excellent fishers - with their long serrated beaks, they can catch and hold onto fast-swimming, slippe
8 January 2024
Recent Sightings 2nd January 2024
Happy New Year! The first count of 2024 provided us with Kingfishers and Peregrines and Plovers and Sparrowhawks – a lovely variety of some of our most striking, colourful and charismatic visitors to the reserve. Look out for the small passerines on the
2 January 2024
Recent Sightings 18th December 2023
With the tide all the way out for this count, lots of lovely waders were on the Estuary of all shapes and sizes. A few Grey plover made an appearance amongst the throngs of Oystercatcher and Light-bellied brent geese, sporting their beautiful white and si
19 December 2023
Recent Sightings 11th December 2023
Lots of variety out on the Estuary as the tide crept in, with waders of all shapes and sizes exploring the exposed mudflats and hunting for food. Tiny Dunlin and Turnstone rushed around as the Brent geese grazed on Eelgrass. Sea ducks including Eider and
12 December 2023
Recent Sightings 4th December 2023
For the first count of December this year we’ve been greeted with a pair of beautiful Pintail ducks on the Main Lake! Pintail (pictured) are very graceful, elegant looking dabbling ducks, which feed mainly on plant matter. They are more commonly seen th
4 December 2023
Wrap up and enjoy the gift of WWT Castle Espie this winter
At WWT Castle Espie we're getting ready to welcome in winter 2023 and everyone is invited to wrap up warm and take in the wonderous sights and sounds. From fantastic bird spectacles and winter woodland walks, to Elf Academy and beautiful nature illustrati
1 December 2023
Recent Sightings 20th November 2023
A very windy count this morning as the tide went out, taking the divers and sea ducks with it. However, several Great-crested grebe and a small group of Red-breasted merganser were still visible from the Limekiln Observatory – their long necks and disti
20 November 2023