Castle Espie transfers captive birds to other UK wildlife sites

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust has moved most of its captive birds away from Castle Espie in Northern Ireland. The transfers to other WWT sites around the UK began in November. The site once kept around 500 birds, but now has fewer than 100. Bird flu reduced the numbers, and Brexit made it harder to transport birds across borders. The WWT has also ended its guided school tours at the site. Both closures are part of wider efforts to cut costs across the organisation. An Assembly member said the loss of the school programme was disappointing. Castle Espie had been an important place for wildlife education in Northern Ireland.