Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Northern Ireland
Phone: 07584682200
Address: Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Castle Espie
78 Ballydrain Road
Comber
BT23 6EA
Castle Espie
78 Ballydrain Road
Comber
BT23 6EA
Our vision for wetlands: restoring the lifeblood of the planet
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) was founded in 1946 by Sir Peter Scott as a conservation charity to protect wetlands for wildlife and people. We are pioneers in saving threatened wetland wildlife, a centre for excellence in conservation science and experts in wetland management and creation. We believe that showing people first-hand how amazing wetlands are can ignite their passion to help us conserve them – so we also provide amazing experiences at our unique wetland centres
OUR SIX BIG GOALS
1 The UK’s wetlands and their wildlife are thriving and increasing
2 Everyone in the UK can access wetlands that provide amazing experiences and inspire support for their conservation
3 Wetlands in the UK are recognised as part of our natural infrastructure providing space for wildlife and people and vital services to us all
4 Decision makers globally understand the threats to wetland nature and are taking ambitious action to remove them
5 Wetlands are managed in a way that benefits wetland nature and enhances people’s lives across the world
6 Risks are decreasing for all wetland nature and no species have gone extinct
The home of the WWT in Northern Ireland is Castle Espie wetland centre. The centre is situated on the shores of Strangford Lough where almost the world’s entire population of Light-bellied Brent Geese resides during the winter months.
WWT Castle Espie was established in 1990 to further the vision and mission of WWT in Northern Ireland. There was extensive quarrying, during the 17th to 19th centuries, and what remains has been developed into habitats of ecological value, now managed as an important nature reserve. We provide education and access to nature for the public. The centre also benefits the local economy as a tourist attraction. There are community facilities here including shop, cafe, rooms for hire indoor and outdoor play facilities and a garden and heritage orchard which acts as resource for producing food for our cafe and is managed by volunteers. Managed peat and pesticide free.
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) was founded in 1946 by Sir Peter Scott as a conservation charity to protect wetlands for wildlife and people. We are pioneers in saving threatened wetland wildlife, a centre for excellence in conservation science and experts in wetland management and creation. We believe that showing people first-hand how amazing wetlands are can ignite their passion to help us conserve them – so we also provide amazing experiences at our unique wetland centres
OUR SIX BIG GOALS
1 The UK’s wetlands and their wildlife are thriving and increasing
2 Everyone in the UK can access wetlands that provide amazing experiences and inspire support for their conservation
3 Wetlands in the UK are recognised as part of our natural infrastructure providing space for wildlife and people and vital services to us all
4 Decision makers globally understand the threats to wetland nature and are taking ambitious action to remove them
5 Wetlands are managed in a way that benefits wetland nature and enhances people’s lives across the world
6 Risks are decreasing for all wetland nature and no species have gone extinct
The home of the WWT in Northern Ireland is Castle Espie wetland centre. The centre is situated on the shores of Strangford Lough where almost the world’s entire population of Light-bellied Brent Geese resides during the winter months.
WWT Castle Espie was established in 1990 to further the vision and mission of WWT in Northern Ireland. There was extensive quarrying, during the 17th to 19th centuries, and what remains has been developed into habitats of ecological value, now managed as an important nature reserve. We provide education and access to nature for the public. The centre also benefits the local economy as a tourist attraction. There are community facilities here including shop, cafe, rooms for hire indoor and outdoor play facilities and a garden and heritage orchard which acts as resource for producing food for our cafe and is managed by volunteers. Managed peat and pesticide free.
Facilities: Cafe, Volunteering, Shop, Community space for hire, Picnic area, Play area, Play activities, Holiday activities, Wildlife area, Sustainable/Green building on site
Open to the public?: Yes
Opening hours: 10.00 - 17.00 7 days a week
Accessible?: Yes
Has livestock?: Yes
Details of livestock and rare breeds kept: In addition to the native birds on the wildlife reserve we have the following captive collection of waterbirds
Barrow's Golden Eye Least concern
Hooded Merganser Least concern
Northern Shoveler Least concern
Rosybill Least concern
Chiloe Wigeon Least concern
Bufflehead Least concern
African white back duck Least concern
Falcated duck Near threatened
Eider Near threatened
White Headed Duck Endangered
Red Crested Pochard Least concern
Cinnamon Teal Least concern
Baer's Pochard Critically endangered
Red Shovelers Least concern
Laysan Teal Critically endangered
Marbled Teal Vulnerable
Baikal Teal Least concern
African Comb Duck Least concern
Nene Geese Vunerable
Ross' Geese Least concern
White Fronted Geese Least concern
Red Breasted Geese Vunerable
Brent Geese Least concern
Puna Teal Least concern
Patagonian Crested Duck Least concern
Smew Least concern
Ringed Teal Least concern
Barrow's Golden Eye Least concern
Hooded Merganser Least concern
Northern Shoveler Least concern
Rosybill Least concern
Chiloe Wigeon Least concern
Bufflehead Least concern
African white back duck Least concern
Falcated duck Near threatened
Eider Near threatened
White Headed Duck Endangered
Red Crested Pochard Least concern
Cinnamon Teal Least concern
Baer's Pochard Critically endangered
Red Shovelers Least concern
Laysan Teal Critically endangered
Marbled Teal Vulnerable
Baikal Teal Least concern
African Comb Duck Least concern
Nene Geese Vunerable
Ross' Geese Least concern
White Fronted Geese Least concern
Red Breasted Geese Vunerable
Brent Geese Least concern
Puna Teal Least concern
Patagonian Crested Duck Least concern
Smew Least concern
Ringed Teal Least concern
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