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Castle Espie - WWT Reserve

Northern Ireland

Location Guide

Set on the banks of the stunning Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland where almost the entire population of Light-bellied Brent Geese reside during the winter months. For this reason the Castle Espie foreshore is part of the Strangford Lough Ramsar site. Throughout the year this tranquil and friendly centre is a real delight and a must for the whole family. Like most wetland centres, there are a wide range of wildfowl species and during the winter months the majority of the worlds Brent Geese over winter here.

So much to see and do.

  • Hides and nature walks allow you to get close to wild birds and a collection of endangered birds form around the world.

  • Sustainable Garden has reedbeds, Turtle Hide and Straw Bale Building all giving you tips for a wildlife garden at home.

  • Deep ponds call The Plumbs' have a wide collection of colourful and exotic ducks, geese and swans - the largest collection in Ireland.

  • The Runway - is a private landing strip constructed in the 1960's is visible by the remains for a Victorian brickworks and pottery, giving an insight into the past of Castle Espie area.

  • Hides overlook Strangford Lough, with its eelgrass beds and a wide variety of wildfowl and waders. Here you may see, shelduck, redshank, godwit and plover. Brent Hide is one of the best viewing areas and during the winter months provides a vantage point to witness the sight of the Brent Geese. Most of the worlds population over winter on the lough.

  • Wet Woodland, a unique habitat and is particularly good in winter months.


Location: WWT Castle Espie - Northern Ireland

Grid Reference: NW613209 Ceremonial County: Co. Down

Map Link: VIEW MAP

Aerial photo: Multimap

Getting there: Located on Strangford Lough, 3 miles south of Comber and 13 miles south-east of Belfast. Signposted from the A22 Comber-Killyleagh-Downpatrick road.

Access: Level access in most areas and compacted gravel paths. Path to Viewpoint is steep. Low level viewing windows and ramped access to hides. Free parking
Website: http://www.wwt.org.uk/gallery/118/castle_espie.html
Other Useful Websites:
Email: info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk
Address: WWT Castle Espie, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, County Down, Northern Ireland
Postcode: BT23 6EA Telephone: 02891 874146
Opening Times: Open daily at 10.30am. Closes Nov-Jan 4.30pm; Feb-Jun and Sept-Oct 5pm; July-Aug 5.30pm

Charges: Free to WWT Members. Non Members: Adult £6.10; Concession (Students, Senior Citizens) £4.65; Child (4-16) £3.05; Family Ticket £16.50; Essential helpers for disabled visitors FREE

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Notes: Facilities include: Coffee shop, gift and book shop, exhibition area, hides, woodland walk, events and activities,  picnic area.

 

 

Please let us know any other information that we can add to the Grid(s) or page and any errors that you discover. Before making a long trip to any location it is always wise to double check the current information, websites like magazines may be correct at the time the information is written, but things change and it is of course impossible to double check all entries on a regular basis. If you have any good photographs that you feel would improve the illustration of this page then please let us have copies. In referring to this page it is helpful if you quote both the Page Ref and Topic or Section references from the Grid below. To print the planning grid select it then right click and print the selected area.

Please submit information on locations you discover so that this system continues to grow.

 


By: Tracey Park Section: Wildlife Key:
Page Ref: castle_espie Topic: Wildfowl & Wetland Spaces  Last Updated: 03/2010

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Location Guide


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Date Updated: 11/2008

Please let us know any other information that we can add to the Further information and Planning Grids or page and any errors that you discover. Before making a long trip to any location it is always wise to double check the current information, websites like magazines may be correct at the time the information is written, but things change and it is of course impossible to double check all entries on a regular basis. If you have any good photographs that you feel would improve the illustration of this page then please let us have copies. In referring to this page it is helpful if you quote both the Page Ref and Classification from the Grids above. To print the planning grid select it then right click and print the selected area.

Please submit information on locations you discover so that this system continues to grow.

 

This page:

Link directly to this page, with text or the button on right.

Text linking: on Photographers Resource

Linking Instructions                            http://www.photographers-resource.co.uk/

Photographers Resource, all the information for the photographer