Giving Nature a Home in Northern Ireland

What better way to celebrate World Oceans Day than by diving into stories about the wonders of Northern Ireland’s waters, as told by the people who work to protect them.

Photo credit: Common dolphins by Dr Donal Griffin, Northern Ireland Marine Task Force Office 

United Nations World Oceans Day recognises the vital role the oceans play in our everyday lives. Covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface, they supply…

This #VolunteersWeek we want to say a HUGE thank you to all who have volunteered their time and expertise in support of RSPB NI’s vital conservation work. The RSPB could not function without volunteers, in fact 85% of our workforce are volunteers. That’s over 12,000 volunteers across the UK. Our volunteers do everything from pulling reeds in local reserves, to co-ordinating and supporting RSPB projects, campaigning for…

Guest blog by Jane Clarke, RSPB NI Nature Protection Policy Officer  

Picture credit: Seal by Hazel Watson

From wintering birds on the shores of Strangford Lough to the seals at Murlough, and the blanket bogs of Cuilcagh Mountain in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland is home to an amazing range of species and habitats. However, nature is in crisis, even in the areas where it is protected by law. That’s why RSPB is working to…

Guest blog by Rosie Murdock, RSPB NI Communications Officer

RSPB Northern Ireland is looking for its Artists of the Year 2021

Competition theme  

Could you paint for nature, crochet for climate or sculpt for sustainability?

RSPB NI is working hard to raise awareness and find solutions to the nature and climate emergency both here in Northern Ireland and across the globe.

We recognise that throughout history big changes…

One of Northern Ireland’s most important pieces of legislation was debated in the NI Assembly on Monday 10 May – our first Climate Change Bill. After seven hours, MLAs cast their vote… and the result was a win for nature (and all of us) with the Assembly voting in favour of progressing the Bill to the next stage!

Puffin on Rathlin Island by Hazel Watson (rspb-images.com)

None of this would have been…

This summer marks five years since we undertook our groundbreaking and collaborative swift tracking study with the BTO.

The two-year study involved placing long-term deployment tags (essentially miniature 1g backpacks!) on the swifts in Northern Ireland and gave us a scintillating snapshot into the autumn-winter movements of three birds from Belfast, Antrim and Portadown on their epic migration to sub-Saharan Africa.

…

World Curlew Day guest blog by Seán Woods and Neal Warnock, Senior Conservation Officers for RSPB NI 

 

Today is World Curlew Day, and to mark it Seán Woods and Neal Warnock from our operations team, are sharing some information about RSPB’s latest work to save the species in Northern Ireland. 
 
The once familiar call of the curlew is a sound sadly fading into memories and stories. Since the mid-1980s the breeding…

Guest blog by Rosie Murdock, RSPB NI Communications Officer

Do you feel that the scale of the climate emergency is overwhelming? Are you worried that it’s too late to turn it around? Well, we have good news for you; there are solutions, and right now work is being undertaken to create a sustainable future for everyone.

One of the most important solutions is to ensure that we have our own climate laws in Northern…

RSPB NI is asking members of the public to report any sightings of majestic red kites as we enter the 2021 breeding season.

If you are out walking in and around Castlewellan, Katesbridge, Moneyslane, Ballyward in County Down or spending time in the Mournes as stay local restrictions ease, let us know if you spot any red kites. County Down remains the hot-spot for these striking birds of prey, but they have been seen all…

This is just a small update filled with a BIG thank you from RSPB NI to everyone who took part in our campaign calling for a Green Recovery Fund to Revive Our World. Nearly 1,200 of you sent an email to the Northern Ireland Finance Minister asking for vital funding to restore nature. This is the biggest response we’ve had to a government targeted campaign in Northern Ireland for years!

Starling by Ben Andrew (rspb…

In this handy blog, we’ve shared a collection of commonly asked questions RSPB NI receives during breeding season. Read on for advice on what to do and how to help our feathered friends and fledgling families

Guest blog by Roisin Kearney, RSPB NI Conservation Officer


Today is International Women’s Day (IWD), which aims to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. We feel this especially keenly within the RSPB, which was originally founded by inspirational women in the late 19^th century.
These women fought bravely for what they believed in, namely the protection of our wonderful birds…

How campaigning can save nature – featuring an interview with Dakota Reid, Queen’s University student and environmental activist.

Youth Strike for Climate March 2019

Northern Ireland has lost more nature than any other part of the UK. We’re also the only country in the UK whose government hasn’t committed vital Green Recovery funding to turn this around. This might feel like an impossible obstacle…

Discover how black-tailed godwits swap Iceland for Irish coastlines, learn how to ID them and find out where and when they can be spotted in Northern Ireland.

When you think of life after the pandemic, how does it look? Do you want to see more birds and bees in our towns and countryside? How about greener energy powering our cars and homes? Or the Government committing to legal targets to halt the warming our of planet?

You don’t need to imagine this future - a green recovery can help make it happen.

A green recovery is Northern Ireland’s chance to rebuild our…

Guest blog by Phil Carson, RSPB NI Policy Officer Sustainable Farming

Imagine a thriving countryside that’s rich in nature, supports rural livelihoods and helps communities adapt to climate change. Think of a future where nature is cherished for the vital role it plays in supporting our prosperity. This is the vision painted by farmers, producers, policymakers and conservationists at our two-day Food, Farming and…

To mark Valentine’s Day, we would LOVE you to connect with nature. Here are five ways for you to play your part and help us give nature a home and protect our precious species and habitats:

1. Take action and help to Revive our World

A green recovery from Covid-19 is our chance to revive our world and build a better, greener and fairer future for Northern Ireland. If you love nature, this is an opportunity we can…

RSPB NI is encouraging everyone to speak up for nature by giving their views on a new Environment and Nature Restoration Bill

Snipe. Photo credit Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Guest blog by Jane Clarke, RSPB NI Nature Protection Policy Officer

In September 2020, over 1,000 of you joined 79,000 members and supporters across the UK in petitioning the government to #ReviveOurWorld. The Northern Ireland Assembly heard your…

Guest blog by Amy Burns, RSPB NI Estate Manager, Lower Lough Erne

I work on the RSPB’s most westerly reserve - Lower Lough Erne Islands in Fermanagh - comprising 46 islands dotted across the second largest freshwater lake in the UK. We manage the site for the benefit of a wide range of species, including curlews, Sandwich terns and red squirrels.
I love taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch at home every January…

Set against the backdrop of a devastating global pandemic, 2020 has brought more unprecedented challenges than any other. It has changed the way we live and work, how we connect with friends and family, and forced us to re-evaluate our relationship with nature.

Roseate tern by Tim Melling (rspb-images.com)

This year has taken an incredible toll on everyone's lives and we understand it might seem hard to look back…

Guest blog by Rosie Murdock, RSPB NI Communications Officer Curious or confused about green terminology? Unpick the climate and nature crises with our handy Green Glossary. We will help you know your COP26 from your carbon sink and your net zero fro...

Christmas may look quite different for many of us this year, but your garden birds will be just as hungry as ever! In the winter there are less natural food sources available in the countryside, so any food you put out in your garden or balcony will be very gratefully received.

Phil Carson, RSPB NI Policy Officer, gives a flavour of how you can keep the birds well fed in winter. 

“The weather is getting a lot colder and…

Dungonnell Peat Dams by Henry McLaughlin Northern Ireland Water

Guest blog by Terry Goldsmith, RSPB NI Senior Fundraising Officer


I joined RSPB NI in July 2014 having had a 34-year career in banking. It may have seemed like quite a leap from there to the fundraising team based at Belvoir Park Forest in Belfast, but it was, in fact, a much more gradual, and perhaps even a pre-determined process.
I spent the first 10 years of my life growing up in an area of terraced housing with no green…