Birds
Castle Espie transfers captive birds to other UK reserves
Rising expenses, bird flu outbreaks, and new border checks prompted the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust to move its collection and refocus the reserve.
Reported by BBC News · · 1 min read
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is preparing to relocate all captive birds from its Castle Espie reserve in County Down. Beginning in November, the remaining flock will be transferred to other facilities managed by the conservation charity across the United Kingdom as part of broader efforts to manage rising deficits.
The wetland centre, situated alongside Strangford Lough near Comber, previously housed roughly 500 captive specimens, including native varieties, exotic waterfowl, and globally endangered birds. However, operational difficulties have reduced that population to fewer than 100 individuals.
According to trust operations director Alex Lane, the sharp decline stems largely from outbreaks of avian influenza alongside logistical complications introduced after Brexit. Transporting animals between Great Britain and Northern Ireland now requires export health documentation and entry inspections under Windsor Framework rules, creating substantial administrative hurdles.
Refocusing on wild species
Management noted that removing the captive flock will allow the sanctuary to restructure its operations. Lane explained that the decision creates additional physical room for wild birds while reorienting the property as a dedicated centre for wetland preservation. The reserve features diverse habitats, including freshwater areas, sailing lagoons, and temporary seasonal floodlands.
Alongside the avian transfers, the organisation is ending its guided educational tours for school groups. Lane stated that the formal tour service became unsustainable because rising travel expenses contributed to a drop in bookings, preventing the charity from covering program overhead. Castle Espie will still remain accessible for self-guided school visits.
The reduction in educational services prompted criticism from Northern Ireland Assembly member Cara Hunter. The education committee member expressed concern that cutting guided tours would limit environmental learning opportunities for pupils, noting the historical importance of the wetland reserve in connecting local children with wildlife conservation.
