Castle Espie news
The Building Blocks of Castle Espie: The Story of Our Wheaten Bread
The Story of Castle Espie's wheaten bread. By Julie Mackie. The story begins shortly after Paddy had purchased Castle Espie from Tony McCleery in 1978. Work had begun to turn a residential home into the Castle Espie Conservation Centre and Gallery
15 September 2026
The Brent are back!
Thousands of Arctic geese return to Castle Espie in one of Northern Ireland’s greatest wildlife spectacles One of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles in Northern Ireland is getting underway as light-bellied Brent geese make their annual return to W
9 September 2026
Free Entry to WWT Castle Espie and Mount Stewart as Shorelife Celebration Returns on 10th October
Visitors have a special opportunity to enjoy the Shorelife Celebration at either WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre or National Trust Mount Stewart on Saturday 10 October, with free admission to both venues! Running from 10am to 5pm, the event offers a fanta
2 September 2026
A Plant a Month with Ricky - Comfrey
There’s always something new to discover at WWT Castle Espie, and who better to introduce us to some of the plants growing around the reserve than our knowledgeable volunteer, Ricky? Ricky has a brilliant eye for the fascinating details of the natural
5 August 2026
Welcoming Common Terns to WWT Castle Espie
One of the world's most remarkable migratory birds returns to Strangford Lough each spring. The elegant Common Tern which is often nicknamed the "sea swallow" for its graceful flight and agile aerial displays, travels thousands of miles from its wintering
14 July 2026
Dragonflies Take Centre Stage at WWT Castle Espie This Summer
Castle Espie is inviting families to discover one of wetlands' most remarkable residents as the Dragonfly Festival returns for the school holidays. Running from 30th June to 1st September, the festival celebrates the dazzling dragonfly species that
12 June 2026
Celebrating Our Wonderful Volunteers During Volunteers' Week
We're taking the opportunity to celebrate the incredible people who give their time and passion to support WWT Castle Espie on Volunteers week. Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. With a team of 48 dedicated volunteers, they help create
5 June 2026
Environmental Management Certification for WWT Castle Espie
WWT Castle Espie is delighted to announce that it has once again been recognised for its outstanding environmental management practices, achieving the prestigious ISO 14001 certification for a second consecutive year. This continued recognition reflects
2 June 2026
Meet the keeper
As part of BIAZA’s Love Your Zoo Week, we’re taking you behind the scenes at WWT Castle Espie to meet the people caring for our living collections and helping protect wetland wildlife every day. Meet Miryam Saraceni, Senior Living Collections Keeper.
28 May 2026
Eelgrass at WWT Castle Espie
A recent study by Heidi McIlvenny of Queens University Belfast confirms the negative anthropogenic impacts on seagrass generally on Strangford Lough. The exception however are the seagrass meadows at WWT Castle Espie which are thriving. Eelgrass is a cru
20 May 2026
Weather Watch Begins at WWT Castle Espie with New Climate Monitoring Station
From weather warnings to winter road gritting, a new climate monitoring station at WWT Castle Espie will provide near real-time data to support vital public services and climate research across County Down and beyond. The solar-powered station has been i
11 May 2026
Gathering Stitches Festival Returns to Celebrate Creative and Sustainable Crafts at WWT Castle Espie
Gathering Stitches, the much-loved festival of yarn, textiles and sustainable fashion returns to WWT Castle Espie, Comber, for another inspiring celebration of creativity, community and conscious living on 9th and 10th May. Supported by Ards and North Dow
1 May 2026
The Natural History Museum accepts donation of largest ornithological collection in decades
The Natural History Museum, London, is about to embark on one of the largest and most complex movements of a late 19th century / early 20th century ornithology collection in decades. For over 50 years, one of the United Kingdom’s most important natural
21 April 2026
Cracking Easter Adventures Await at WWT Castle Espie
Spring has officially sprung at Castle Espie and families are invited to celebrate the season with a fresh-air adventure packed with wildlife, discovery and a little Easter mystery. From 31 March to 12 April 2026, the wetland reserve will be buzzing with
24 March 2026
Stomp, splash and squelch this February half term as Mudfest returns to WWT Castle Espie
Families across Northern Ireland are invited to embrace the mess this February half term as Mudfest returns to Castle Espie from 7–15th February 2026. Taking place for one muddy week only, Mudfest is a joyful celebration of all things squelchy, sensory
29 January 2026