News
A fond farewell!
We waved a final farewell to the Bewick’s swans this week as the last few left on spring migration back to arctic Russia, symbolically ending the British winter. And what a winter it has been! Familiar faces, unusual associations and of course, the usua
15 March 2012
Chiffchaff returns
The first Chiffchaff returned today, singing in the Waterfowl Gardens, one day later than last year. This species is the first of the traditional spring migrants to arrive, although the murky, cool we [...]
15 March 2012
Wildlife sightings for 15th March 2012
2 Pintail - main lake 1 Peregrine - hunting over the main lake in the mist 3 Redshank - scrape 26 Common Gull - scrape, main lake 19 Snipe - marsh and lake 3 Collared Dove - Castle [...]
15 March 2012
Discover Wildlife Wonders
WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre is celebrating gardening for wildlife throughout March by hosting a medley of green-fingered events and activities. Events begin this weekend so bring the family down for a morning or afternoon of Den Building. Kids will, w
14 March 2012
Wild otter
A wild otter has been spotted playing on the riverbank beneath the saline lagoon, right next to where the public viewing platform will be once its open! [...]
14 March 2012
Bullfinch
A pair of Bullfinch were found inside the Waterfowl Gardens near the North America area. They are not new for 2012 but generally we only get individual birds on the reserve, and then they tend only to [...]
14 March 2012
Wildlife sightings for 14th March 2012
3 Redshank - wader scrape 1 Buzzard - flew overhead 40 Wigeon - marsh 6 Pintail - marsh and reservoir lagoon Recent bird highlights: Bittern, Peregrine, Red Kite, Buzzard, C [...]
14 March 2012
Today's sightings
Holden Tower Egyptian Goose 1 Greylag 30 Lapwing 45 Oystercatcher 4 Zeiss Hide Black-tailed Godwit 49 (4 1st summers) Teal 80 Oystercatcher 2 Great Crested Grebe 2 Tack Pie [...]
14 March 2012
The first of the Nene goslings!
Our Nene are beginning to hatch all over the place! BBF began the trend last thursday with her 2 fluffy bundles of joy, shortly joined by BAX who lovingly hatched off 3 goslings. Other females are not that far behind, these include BBU, BAP, BCD, BAS and
13 March 2012
The latest from the saline lagoon..
The empty lagoon 'before'. Our new saline lagoon was breached for the first time on 7/3/2012, with the River Wear flooding in at high tide. Please see below for pics and footage of this amazing event - to s
13 March 2012
£300,000 initiative to turn school grounds into wildlife oases
Sustainable drainage systems improve the environment and help students learn Thousands of pounds funding has been announced to adapt school buildings and grounds to soak up rainfall and create wildlife-rich wetlands that mimic the natural water cycle and
13 March 2012
WeBS Count
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13 March 2012
Todays Sightings
Wader Lake Avocet - 8 Lapwing - 23 Redshank - 20 Oystercatcher- 5 Shelduck - 19 Wigeon - 7 Mute Swan - 1 Saline Lagoon Shelduck - 14 Oystercatcher - 2 Grey [...]
13 March 2012
Ruff
An unusual influx of Ruff this late in 'winter' with 134 birds, making it the biggest count in 2012. Good wader numbers including, 88 Avocet, 62 Black-tailed Godwit, 84 Oystercatcher, 400 Lapw [...]
13 March 2012
Todays Sightings
Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 156 Pintail 1 Wigeon 130 Tufted Duck 35 Oystercatcher 1 Folly Pond Redshank 2 Teal 30 Wigeon 50 Snipe 1 Black-headed Gull 1 Shelduck 2 Shovele [...]
13 March 2012