Castle Espie: County Down centre to lose all captive birds

Avian flu, cost-cutting and Brexit are among the reasons behind the transfer of captive birds from one of Northern Ireland’s best-known wildlife sites, according to the charity that runs it.

Director of Operations at Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) Alex Lane said avian influenza, as well as difficulties in transporting birds since Brexit, has contributed to the decline in the number of captive birds at Castle Espie.

The closure of both the site’s captive bird programme and guided school tour programme is part of wider WWT cost-cutting measures.

An Assembly member has described the changes to the education offering as “disappointing”.

Alex Lane said the site used to have around 500 birds in its captive collection – but, a combination of Brexit and avian influenza means today, there are fewer than 100.

Both the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have been contacted for comment.

From November onwards, all captive birds at Castle Espie will be transferred to other WWT sites across the UK.

The centre, which is located in County Down, will also no longer offer guided school tours.

However, the centre have said they will “continue to welcome self-guided school visits”.