WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre

There’s always something new to spot at Castle Espie! 👀

This black-tailed godwit is among the birds recorded in our latest sightings. Volunteers recorded 17 Black-tailed Godwits across the reserve and estuary on Monday.
Take a look at what else has been seen across the wetlands recently:

👉 https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/wildlife/latest-sightings/recent-sightings-31-august-2026

Bank holiday plans? Join us for pond dipping and a relaxing wander around our wetlands before the kids head back to school.

It’s the perfect chance to enjoy some family time in nature and reset before the new term begins. 🔍🦆 Price included with admission, free for members.

It’s the final weekend of our Dragonfly Festival! 🐉🪰

Join us on Saturday for drop in dragonfly arts&crafts with Boom Studios (10-2) and meet our magical circus performers.

Grab a coffee and relax in the courtyard and enjoy an acoustic set from Mark Hamilton on Sunday. ☕🎶1-3pm.

Everyone welcome, free with admission.

DYK? The Little Grebe is Britain and Ireland's smallest grebe and is sometimes known as a ‘dabchick’. It's an excellent swimmer and diver and can quickly disappear beneath the water when disturbed or while searching for insects, tadpoles and small fish.

Listen out for its distinctive laughing call around the wetlands!

📷 Jonny Clark

It’s the final week of our Dragonfly Festival! 🐉🪰 There’s still plenty to enjoy, including drop-in dragonfly art workshops today, suitable for all ages. And pond dipping with our brilliant Learning Team tomorrow (Wednesday 26th)

Come along and make the most of the festival’s final week! 🌿

A young song thrush spotted at Castle Espie. DYK? Song Thrushes are particularly fond of snails. They crack open the shells by repeatedly tapping them against a favourite stone. 🐌

Keep an eye out for broken snail shells gathered around a stone- it could be a sign that a Song Thrush has been dining nearby! 🍽️

📷 Jonny Clark

Join us for our monthly Bird Watch Morning on Wednesday 26th August. 🔭

We’ll explore the reserve at one of the best times of day for spotting birdlife led by our reserve team. It’s a great opportunity to discover a variety of species and maybe even spot something new!

Beginners are welcome, so bring your binoculars if you have them and come along!

⏰ 10.30am to 12 noon
🎟️ Included with admission

Jumping into the weekend like… 😅🐦

Planning a visit? Check out our line-up of events and activities here:
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/whats-on/events

📷Jonny Clark

This water stick insect was recently discovered by our Senior Living Collections Keeper, Miryam at Castle Espie! 🔍🌿

The first and only previous recorded sighting of the species in Northern Ireland was in 2024 which makes this a special find.

DYK the water stick insect isn’t a stick insect at all, but an aquatic bug that uses its long tail-like breathing tube to take in air from the water’s surface!