Northern Ireland welcomes special arrivals
Northern Ireland welcomed two very special arrivals this week – the first light bellied brent geese to be hatched in captivity.
The young birds took their first steps outside in front of the public at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre this morning.
It is the first time that light bellied brent geese have been bred in Northern Ireland, and possibly the UK.
WWT PR Manager Mark Simpson said:
“People have been visiting Castle Espie specially to see the new goslings which is wonderful. Thousands of wild light bellied brent geese stop off at Castle Espie each autumn on their migration from Canada. Locally, many people look forward to their return each year and this is the first time they're are getting the chance to see them as chicks.
“WWT breeds many other birds at its wetland centres throughout the UK that reflect its wetland conservation work, such as barnacle geese, red-breasted geese, nenes and Bewick’s swans. The birds in captivity help with many aspects of conservation, from studying breeding behaviour to designing tracking equipment for birds in the wild to inspiring new generations of wildlife lovers.”
WWT Castle Espie Reserve Manager Kerry Mackie has spent over 20 years’ researching light-bellied brent geese. Last summer he went with the Irish Brent Goose Research Group and Exeter University to Resolute, Eureka and the Schei Peninsula in the Canadian High Arctic to observe and ring brent geese at their arctic breeding grounds. This spring he travelled to Iceland to catch up with the brent geese on their return migration.
This October, Castle Espie Wetland Centre is celebrating the return of the light-bellied brent geese and their connection to Castle Espie and Strangford Lough by holding The Big Brent Event from Friday 2nd October to Sunday 4th October. The event is part funded by Ards and North Down Borough Council and includes expert talks, photography workshop and fun family activities.
