Giving Nature a Home in Northern Ireland

RSPB NI Blog, Mark McCormick, Policy Officer – Sustainable Agriculture  

Last month the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the new UK Government’s first Budget. On the surface, the UK-wide agriculture budget is set to be maintained, rather than cut. Given the narrative of potential widespread cuts in the lead up to the Budget, this was a better scenario than might have been expected. However, this is only enough…

The results from this year’s County Down breeding bird survey are in, and they bring some great news for our farmland birds! The team of staff and volunteers carried out surveys across 30 farms and covered around 1,600 hectares. The results this year have shown that the hard work of farmers and landowners pays off, as their efforts to give nature a home are producing fantastic results. 

Yellowhammers were recorded…

Why protecting Northern Ireland's nature matters

Growing up in Northern Ireland, we are surrounded by rolling hills, dramatic coastlines and hidden forests that paint such a beautiful picture right outside our doors. A recent move away from the city, has reignited my own love for this incredible landscape.

Every corner of this land seems to hold a special memory. From windswept cliffs of Antrim to the serene lakes…

Protecting Northern Ireland's Seabirds

Guest blog, Erin McKeown, Senior Marine Policy Officer  

Northern Ireland is home to a variety of internationally important seabirds. From Northern Fulmar, an impressive grey and white bird whose closest relative is the majestic Albatross, to the iconic Atlantic Puffin, a must-see for visitors to Rathlin Island during the spring and summer. Northern Ireland is also a key area for…

Our Wild Seas: A Call to Action Guest Blog by Erin McKeown 

(Erin McKeown, Senior Marine Policy Officer, RSPB NI)

The Hidden Gems of Our Coastal Waters  

It's easy to imagine the vibrant, colourful seas of the tropics when we think of the ocean. However, our own UK and Irish waters are teeming with incredible biodiversity which is often overlooked.   

I've had a deep connection to the sea since childhood, spending countless…

An autumn guide to gardening for nature

As the days grow shorter, and the leaves transform into a patchwork of golds and reds, we know that autumn is truly on its way. It’s a season of change and I’m making the most of the drier weather to sort out the garden before the colder days return.

This is a great time of year to put down some serious roots, and woody plants take particularly well now as the ground…

A third warning for our seabirds. 

Guest Blog, Erin McKeown, Senior Marine Policy Officer, RSPB NI

Northern Ireland is home to iconic seabird species such as Puffins, Terns and Manx Shearwaters. These seabirds are a delight to see on our shores and visiting a seabird colony is one of the great wildlife spectacles. Seabirds also play a vital role in keeping our seas well-functioning and healthy. Seabirds are therefore an…

RSPB NI were proud to take part in this year’s Belfast Pride – it was an uplifting, colourful and musical day!

Guest blog by Dakota Reid 
 
It was a great opportunity for our team to join together to recognise the LGBTQIA+ community within our members, staff, volunteers and supporters and acknowledge their huge contribution to our work.  
 
At RSPB, we are determined that no-one should experience any prejudice, but…

Countryside and Land Management Services (CLMS) is a team within RSPB that provides a complete range of habitat management services. 

From ecological surveys, production of management plans and conservation advisory services; to undertaking practical habitat management using specialist machinery and expert operators. 

With a wealth of knowledge and comprehensive experience, CLMS offers the advice and practical project delivery…

Image by Neal Warnock

A well-known Red Kite was found shot on Sandy Road, near Mayobridge, County Down in late April. The bird had to be euthanised, due to the extent of its injuries. This protected bird of prey is believed to be the eighteenth Red Kite to have been illegally killed in Northern Ireland since the species was reintroduced, and RSPB NI is appealing for more information.  

Known as Vivienne, this female…

Step back in time 

It's February 1944, and a young John Bailey is looking out over the River Lagan. He can hear Corncrakes calling across the field, there are Reed Buntings hiding amongst the marshes and across the river, he can hear the song of the Yellowhammer. There are all the incredible sights and sounds that are noted over a span of several years by nature enthusiast and lifelong RSPB member John, whose daughter…

RSPB NI: Creating Access to Nature with Laura Kerr

After completing her Master’s degree during the pandemic, Laura, 26 was eager to break into the environmental sector. Trying to do this whilst being in an extended period of autistic burnout proved to be difficult and massively knocked her confidence. Now as the Access to Nature Project Assistant at the RSPB Belfast’s Window on Wildlife nature reserve, Laura is building…

Do you know what to do if you’ve found a baby bird?

It’s that time of year when birdsong is in the air, the sunshine is starting to come out and we get inundated with questions about how to help birds and wildlife.  As a wildlife conservation charity, we unfortunately do not have the facilities or expertise to treat injured birds and would urge you to contact a local vet or independent wildlife rehabilitator…

March is the month where spring flowers burst into bloom, bird song warms the cockles on those still chilly mornings and the first of the summer visitors begin to arrive.  

[Image Description: Chiffchaff is sitting amongst green and yellow flowers] [Ben Andrews]

March is when we begin to regularly hear the rich dulcet tones of the Blackbird. Their flutey notes are a timely reminder that those warm summer nights when they…

 

On 3rd February, Ministers were appointed to the Northern Ireland Executive. This is the first time the Executive has operated in nearly two years. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) will now be headed up by a new Minister, Andrew Muir of the Alliance Party. 

In that time a lot of key work relating to the Environment was delayed, due to Ministers not being present to sign off on key…

The latest seabird census ‘Seabirds Count’ revealed a devastating decline in UK seabirds over the last 20 years. However, new surveys have recently been completed by the RSPB in collaboration with others, that shine a light on the health of seabird populations following the recent outbreaks of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak.  

Northern Ireland’s seas are globally important for seabirds…

This month is all about change. As the weather warms, the days grow longer, new shoots appear and birds are pairing up. 

If you wait until spring has sprung to get outside and connect with nature, you’ll miss out on some incredible wildlife encounters. From bustling Blue-tits to Snowdrops peeking up from the soil, there are signs of spring all around us.

The early bird may get the worm, but they also get the best…

RSPB NI Lower Lough Erne Islands Reserve in County Fermanagh is the most westerly of all reserves in the UK. Established in 1968, it proudly stands as Northern Ireland's oldest RSPB Reserve.

Spread across 47 islands on the second-largest freshwater lake in the UK, each island supports unique wildlife and are the annual breeding grounds for nationally important numbers of curlew, redshank, and other waders.

While…

Following the release of this year's amazing Curlew breeding results, we're thrilled to share the remarkable work our dedicated teams have been undertaking on the ground across Northern Ireland.

From the picturesque landscapes of County Fermanagh in the West to the dramatic scenes of the Antrim Hills in the East, our teams’ efforts are making a significant impact on the conservation of Northern Ireland's most…

A guest blog by Dr Jonathan Bell, Head of Land and Sea Policy at RSPB NI. 

A new study led by the RSPB has examined how different land use scenarios can contribute to achieving the NI Executive’s requirement to achieve ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The study revealed how a more strategic approach to land-use decision making must be taken, to help meet the net zero targets, whilst also producing food and…

About me!  

Hi, I’m Joss, a master's student at Queen’s University Belfast, studying Ecological Management and Conservation Biology. I have recently finished my summer placement with RSPB NI, working alongside the conservation team in the Antrim Plateau. My research project was titled “Declining upland Lapwing population response to Agri-environmental scheme options”. I’m from Co. Donegal and have grown-up surrounded by…

This summer Lough Neagh has looked like a scene from the Simpsons movie. In the 2007 production, Lake Springfield turns green after Homer and other members of the town dispose of waste inappropriately, leading to Springfield town having a glass dome placed over it.

However, this isn’t a 20th Century Fox production. The blue-green algae present in Lough Neagh has had an impact on wildlife including a number of swans…

RSPB NI’s Nature Positive Changemakers Programme launches! 

This new programme is an experiential outdoor learning initiative with a strong community-focused approach. It aims to increase partnership work within primary and secondary schools along with youth and community organisations through direct engagement with and upskilling of existing teachers and youth leaders.

Through this approach, RSPB NI will educate…

The end of Summer is near, but there is so much nature to explore!

While the summer seems to be passing us by quickly, between rain showers there is still plenty of nature to see and enjoy before the seasons change and our migratory birds to start to make their way to our skies.

August is a great time to see House Martins swooping after insects on the wing. These summer visitors are now well into their breeding season…