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".
Castle Espie, which is managed by the WWT, is located on the shores of Strangford Lough, just outside Comber. The reserve is a safe haven for native and exotic birds, ducks and geese, and some of its collection including globally at-risk species. It has different types of wetlands, including freshwater and sailing lagoons as well as seasonally flooded areas.
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter, who sits on the Stormont education committee, told BBC News NI that the "loss of guided educational visits is disappointing". "Castle Espie has played an important role in introducing generations of young people to nature, conservation and the unique environment on their doorstep. "I would be concerned that these changes could reduce opportunities for schools, particularly those with limited resources, to access high-quality environmental education." The MLA added that "opportunities that educate, inspire and broaden horizons are quietly lost while Stormont remains distracted from the issues that matter most to families".
Alex Lane, Director of Operations at WWT, said rising costs and the challenge around income means charities like the WWT are facing "increasing pressure". "We've got a sizeable deficit and obviously that's unsustainable in the long term," she told BBC News NI. Lane said it is important the WWT have surplus income so that they can "do the conservation work that is part of their mission".
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