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 WWT Castle Espie after an extraordinary 3,000-mile migration for the autumn and winter. The birds will spend the autumn and winter months around Strangford Lough before beginning their return journey north in spring.
The small, dark-bellied geese have travelled from their breeding grounds in the Canadian High Arctic, making an epic journey that takes them across Greenland and, typically, via Iceland before they reach Strangford Lough.
Around 90% of the world’s light-bellied Brent geese gather on Strangford Lough, making it one of the most important places on Earth for this remarkable migratory population. For WWT, their arrival is also an important reminder of the need to protect the wetland habitats on which migratory birds depend.
In October 2025, a census across Strangford Lough recorded 30,000 Brent geese, with around one quarter of those birds visiting WWT Castle Espie. The geese are drawn to the lough's extensive eelgrass beds, which provide a vital source of food after their long migration
The geese can be viewed from WWT Castle Espie’s Brent Discovery Hide, with the changing tides often bringing feeding and roosting birds closer to the reserve. Visitors may also be able to pick out family groups within the larger flocks. Young Brent geese have distinctive pale markings along their flanks, offering an opportunity to see the next generation of these long-distance travellers.
Maurice Turley, Reserve Manager at WWT Castle Espie, said:
“The return of the Brent geese is one of the real highlights of the year here at WWT Castle Espie. To look out across Strangford Lough and see thousands of birds that have travelled all the way from the Canadian Arctic is an extraordinary experience. What makes it particularly special is knowing just how important this place is to them. Strangford Lough supports around 90% of the world’s light-bellied Brent geese, so what we see here is part of a much bigger international conservation story.”
Maurice added:
“For visitors, it’s a chance to experience migration at its most spectacular. Listen for their calls, watch the flocks moving together over the lough and take a moment to think about the incredible journey each bird has made to get here.”
