BBC Winterwatch TV show airs live from Castle Espie

BBC Winterwatch TV show airs live from Castle Espie

19 January 2022

THE Castle Espie Wetland Centre, near Comber, has been selected as one of three live locations across the UK to host BBC Two’s popular wildlife programme, Winterwatch.

Following on from the success of BBC Autumnwatch, wildlife watchers are again coming to the shores of Strangford Lough.

The programme began last night and will continue every weekday evening until Friday, January 28.

Zoologist and conservationist Megan McCubbin, one of four presenters on the show, will shine a spotlight on this area of international wildlife importance.

Castle Espie, managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), the UK’s leading wetland conservation charity, is home to over 60 acres of pristine wetland habitat filled with a range of wildlife including rare and under threat species.

A mixture of tidal lagoon, eel-grass mats, woodland, salt marshes and reed beds offer the perfect habitat for all sorts of wildlife to thrive including a wide variety of water birds such as shelduck and shoveler and waders such as redshank, godwit and plover.

Paul Stewart, Centre Manager at Castle Espie, said: “We are thrilled that the BBC watchers are returning to Northern Ireland and basing themselves at Castle Espie.

“We are a centre for nature conservation, providing a window for the public on one of Northern Ireland’s great natural assets, Strangford Lough.

“Castle Espie is the only WWT wetland centre in Northern Ireland but we have global reach operating wetland centres and wetland focused restoration, conservation and protection in conjunction with local communities and governments across the globe.”

He added: “Our work is shining a light on the importance of nature and the vital role that wetlands play for people and the planet which make us the perfect location for Winterwatch.

“I hope that the programmes presence at Castle Espie will encourage people both at home and further afield to value the wonderful natural capital we offer here on Strangford Lough.”