Latest sightings
Recent Sightings - 11th March 2019
Spring is well underway despite the recent blizzard! Lots of Passerine birds are singing and defending territories, corvids are collecting nest material, but the most conspicuous sign of spring is the displaying Coots. Coots are becoming very territorial
11 March 2019
Recent Sightings - 4th March 2019
Now that we are moving into Spring, lots of waders and wildfowl are beginning to congregate around Strangford lough; Brent gathering before they migrate back to arctic Canada, immature Oystercatchers gathering in preparation for flocking together in the s
4 March 2019
Recent Sightings - 25th February 2019
All around the reserve, boisterous and energetic frequent visitors are being seen of late, Long-tailed tits. Their long tails make them easily to make out even from a distance; making a lot of noise, as they move in small flocks fro tree to tree, searchin
25 February 2019
Recent Sightings - 18th February 2019
Strangford Lough is an incredible rich place for lots of different wader species. One of our most frequent, abundant and visible visitors during the winter is the rather dainty Redshank. Striking and diagnostic red legs make this a bird easily identified
18 February 2019
Recent Sightings - 11th February 2019
Another under appreciated wee gem that's very visible at Castle Espie at this time of year is the Gadwall.
11 February 2019
Recent Sightings - 3rd February 2019
This week i thought I'd highlight one of our most conspicuous and yet overlooked residents; the Moorhen. These "water chicken" like birds are found around are commonly found on wetlands in the UK and Ireland, wading in the edges of ponds and lakes with th
4 February 2019
Recent Sightings - 28th January 2019
Count taken at low tide on the morning of 28/1/19.Two birds which have been infrequent visitors to Castle Espie this winter, but very rarely show up on this weekly count, are Redpoll and Siskin. (Redpoll above)These two species aren't found at Castle Espi
28 January 2019
Recent Sightings 8th April 2018
The following sightings were recorded today from the reserve at Castle Espie. The weather has been mixed lately but there has been some interesting sightings of birds recently, including a Spoonbill on the Wadermarsh during the week. Estuary - visible fro
8 April 2018
Recent Sightings – 26th March 2018
A really calm morning here at Castle Espie with hardly a wave on the estuary. The following sightings were recorded today at high tide: Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory Brent goose 54, Black-headed gull 5,
26 March 2018
Recent Sightings – 19th March 2018
A calmer day here at Castle Espie, after a very cold and windy St.Patrick's Day weekend! The following sightings were recorded today at low tide: Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory Brent goose 15, Black-headed gul
19 March 2018
Recent Sightings - 12th March 2018
A very noisy morning here at Castle Espie, with lots of black-headed gulls preparing for breeding season! The following sightings were recorded today at high tide: Pair of black-headed gulls courting cr. Stan Madams
12 March 2018
Recent Sightings - 5th March 2018
Chaffinch cr. Roger Byng A cold and icy morning here at Castle Espie. Th
5 March 2018
Recent Sightings - 25th Feb 2018
A cold but sunny morning here at Castle Espie. The following sightings were recorded today on a receding tide: Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory Shelduck 104, Brent 66, Oystercatcher 200, Lesser black-backed gull 1,
25 February 2018
Recent Sightings 19th February 2018
A mild morning here at Castle Espie. The following sightings were recorded today at low tide: Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory Shelduck 38, Little egret 2, Brent 68, Oystercatcher 120, Wigeon 40, Lesser black-backed gul
19 February 2018
Recent Sightings 12th February 2018
A very cold and frosty morning on the reserve! The following sightings were recorded today at low tide from Castle Espie: Estuary – visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory Curlew 12, Oystercatcher 321, Brent goose 51, Redshank 54, Dunli
12 February 2018