WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre

23/06/2026

Looking for a relaxing start to your day? 🐦‍⬛🌊🔭

Join us tomorrow morning for our Bird Watch Morning and discover the reserve at one of the best times of day for wildlife. Recent sightings include little egrets, curlew, willow warbler, sedge warbler, tufted duck and common terns, so there's plenty to see!

📅 Wed 24th June 10.30-12noon
Suitable for beginners and experienced birdwatchers too.

Book now:
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/wildlife/latest-sightings/recent-sightings-22nd-june-2026

21/06/2026

Today marks the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and daylight lingers long into the evening. ☀️

The Summer Solstice has been celebrated across Ireland for generations, marking the height of summer and the longest day of the year. It's also a time when nature is bursting with life from blooming wildflowers to busy wetland wildlife.

Happy solstice! hope you can take a little time today to enjoy the beauty of nature 🌞

20/06/2026

Mummy duck has all her wee ducks in a row... almost. 🦆

This busy mum was spotted leading her brood across the lake at WWT Castle Espie. With 12 ducklings to keep an eye on, there's never a dull moment!

📸 Miryam Saraceni

19/06/2026

Heading to the Comber Earlies Food Festival tomorrow? 🥔

Why not make a full day of it? After enjoying the festival you can continue your day with a visit to Castle Espie, we're just a short distance away on the Ballydrain road.

Wander our walking trails, meet our wildlife, browse the Graffan Gallery, let little adventurers burn off some energy in the soft play area and wildwood, and have a nosey in our shop. All while enjoying stunning views across Strangford Lough.

📍 2 miles from Comber Earlies Food Festival
🦢 Wildlife, walks and breathtaking views
🎨 Graffan Gallery showcasing Colin and Sylvia Dales Exhibition
🧸 Indoor soft play and outdoor woodland play area
🛍️ Gift shop and café open throughout the day

18/06/2026

We’re delighted to welcome a beautiful collection from local artist and designer Ali Parks to the Castle Espie Gift Shop. 🎨💜

Ali’s vibrant scarves and prints celebrate the colour and beauty found in nature’s smallest details. 🦚

Pop into the gift shop to take a wee look 👀

17/06/2026

New life is everywhere at Castle Espie this week! 💚🦆

From the calm waters of Strangford Lough to our freshwater lakes and lagoons, it’s been a wonderful week for wildlife.

Tiny ducklings are busy learning to dabble and dive, while proud families of shelducks, mallards and gadwall ducks have been spotted across the reserve. Keep an eye out too for fluffy fledglings in the woodlands and young birds finding their feet along the shoreline.

Wetland life is constantly changing at this time of year, with new families appearing on every visit.

📍 What wildlife sightings have stood out on your visit this week?

📷 Jonny Clark/ WWT.

16/06/2026

You think it’s just grass… but look closer.
What first looks like an ordinary patch of grass and small wildflowers hides something unusual - a beautiful bee orchid in bloom. 🐝🌸
This orchid has evolved to look like a bee to help attract pollinators.

14/06/2026

The latest duckling to join our flock at Castle Espie 🐣 just hatched on Friday and is being well looked after by our attentive keepers.

📷 Miryam Saraceni

12/06/2026

Less than 3 weeks to go until Dragonfly Festival at Castle Espie! ✨🐉 Get ready for a summer packed with dragonfly-themed arts & crafts, weekly pond dipping, live music, circus performers and plenty of family fun in nature. 🌿

📅 Starts 30 June
📍 WWT Castle Espie

Who’s joining us this summer?

11/06/2026

Happy World Saltmarsh Day! 💚🌿

Saltmarshes are some of our most valuable wetlands -they provide a vital home for wildlife, store carbon, help to reduce flooding and support incredible biodiversity.

We're lucky to be surrounded by habitats that connect with the wider wetland landscape of Strangford Lough, where saltmarshes play an important role for many species of birds, plants and invertebrates.

Did you know that saltmarshes are often called the "rainforests of the coast" because of the rich variety of life they support? 🦆🦋🌱

Discover more about these remarkable habitats and the amazing wildlife they support in WWT's latest blog:

👉 https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/blog/the-amazing-biodiversity-of-saltmarshes

From the tiniest marine worm to the most spectacular flock of waders, saltmarshes support a huge abundance of biodiversity around the world. Read on to discover some of these remarkable species, and how WWT is shining a light on this understudied habitat.