WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre

15/10/2026

🦆 From whistling wigeon and a glossy ibis to flashes of kingfisher blue, our weekly bird count also included around 250 oystercatchers on the estuary and 48 black-tailed godwits on the shingle bank!

Our bird of the week is the wigeon. Listen out for its whistling call on your next autumn wander! 🍂

Read our latest sightings 👉 https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/wildlife/latest-sightings/recent-sightings-12th-october-2026

14/10/2026

🌊 Did you join us for Shorelife Celebration at Castle Espie last weekend?

We’d love to hear what you thought! Share your highlights and suggestions to help shape future events.

💬 Give your feedback here:
https://engage.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/tourism/shorelife-celebration-2026/

Thank you to everyone who joined us! 💙

10/10/2026

‼️

ℹ️𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧ℹ️

🚘Parking Update Saturday 10 October at 11.30am 🚘

WWT Castle Espie car is now full.

Additional free parking is available at 2nd Presbyterian Church, Comber, 5 Killinchy Street, BT23 5AP.

From there, please use the Park and Ride service from Killinchy Street to reach the event.

Mount Stewart still has limited free parking available which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

🚍 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞
FREE Park and Ride- no booking required!
Routes:
* Dundonald - Comber - WWT Castle Espie
* Newtownards - Comber - WWT Castle Espie
* Dundonald - Newtownards - Mount Stewart

View timetables >> https://bit.ly/4ADYE3o

The event takes place 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺-𝟱𝗽𝗺 in each location and it is 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 for all to both! No pre-booking required.

Find out more about the programme of activities set for the day >> https://bit.ly/4ADYE3o

09/10/2026

🌊 Join us at Castle Espie tomorrow- Saturday 10th October for Shorelife Celebration!
Enjoy FREE admission and a day packed with activities;

🎨 Get creative with Clayrazy and Mrs Maker Crafts
🧶 Try weaving with Kiri Cottage
🏹 Have a go at archery with Strangford Lough Activity Centre
🧜‍♀️ Meet the walkabout performers, including a bubble-blowing mermaid!
🖌️ See Tracey Johnston at work in her bothy
🌿 Explore with guided tours led by Bridgit Watson

📍 WWT Castle Espie, 10am to 5pm on Saturday 10th October.

08/10/2026

Our glossy ibis is sticking around the reserve! 👀

It's lovely to see the glossy has been making itself at home at Castle Espie, roosting alongside our egrets. Keep an eye out for its shimmering feathers and distinctive curved bill on your next visit.

📷 Jonny Clark

More recent sightings: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/wildlife/latest-sightings/recent-sightings-10th-october-2026

07/10/2026

🌊 Join us at Castle Espie this Saturday 10th October for Shorelife Celebration!
Enjoy FREE admission and a day packed with activities;

🎨 Get creative with Clayrazy and Mrs Maker Crafts
🧶 Try weaving with Kiri Cottage
🏹 Have a go at archery with Strangford Lough Activity Centre
🧜‍♀️ Meet the walkabout performers, including a bubble-blowing mermaid!
🖌️ See Tracey Johnston at work in her bothy
🌿 Explore with guided tours led by Bridgit Watson

📍 WWT Castle Espie, 10am to 5pm on Saturday 10th October.

06/10/2026

📸 Calling all amateur photographers!

The FREE Shorelife Photography Competition launches this Saturday 10th October! Capture coastal scenery, wildlife and special moments, with entries open until 18th November.🍂

Details and how to enter 👇
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/news/calling-all-amateur-photographers-to-shorelife-celebration

05/10/2026

Another unusual visitor at Castle Espie! 👀
Following last week’s glossy ibis, this ruff has also been spotted on site. It’s lovely to see the variety of birds stopping off at our wetlands this autumn. 🍂
Keep your eyes peeled on your next visit!

📷 Jonny Clark.