Knockbreda Community Garden Tucked behind Knockbreda Methodist Church in South Belfast is a bustling community garden teeming with wildlife and a support system of local people all working together to help nature thrive. Started over two years ago, t...

Last week, we had an amazing time at the Young Voices for Nature's workshop held at Belfast’s Window on Wildlife (WOW). A youth-led film-making project facilitated by World Pencil, set up by WWF, the RSPB, and the National Trust as part of our Save Our Wild Isles campaign.

The day was filled with inspiring stories and two incredible films that narrated the journey of how young people are saving our wild isles…

Over the past five decades, nearly half of our farmland wildlife and a staggering 97% of our wildflower meadows have vanished across the UK. In Northern Ireland, around 75 per cent (about 100,000 square kilometres) of our countryside is farmed in some way, playing a crucial role not only in food production but also in supporting wildlife and eco-system services (soil protection, climate regulation, and water quality)…

It's National Marine Week!  From the weird to the wonderful, the waters around Northern Ireland provide a home for an amazing array of marine life, a livelihood for many communities and give all of us a place for connection, inspiration, and res...

Guest blog by Dakota Reid, RSPB NI Conservation Officer.

Our upland habitats provide us with a huge range of benefits – they provide vital homes for nature, store carbon, hold back water to reduce the impacts of flooding downstream and provide us with safe drinking water. But they are in trouble.

Our uplands are home to a diverse range of wildlife – from common lizards, argent and sable moths and Irish hares to…

Explore Montiaghs Moss and the new 500m boardwalk this summer.

This summer I’m aiming to get out into nature as much as possible, and just recently I joined RSPB NI Warden Cathryn Cochrane for a tour of Montiaghs Moss Nature Reserve. Situated near Craigavon, the newest reserve is just a few minutes drive from Portmore Lough. With a fantastic 500m boardwalk, it gives you a chance to get up close to the abundance of butterflies…

By Ruby Free, Campaigning Communications Officer - Youth Campaigner's Line Manager 

Meet some of the Youth Campaigners at RSPB NI!

You are never too small to make a difference

At RSPB NI, we strongly believe that anyone can make a positive impact to nature, which is why we provide the opportunity to develop new and existing skills to be an effective campaigner, conservationist and communicator. The RPSB NI Youth Campaigners…

Guest blog contribution from Dara Brown, RSPB Volunteer and Team Member

Just under a year ago, Jacqui had never witnessed the majestic sight of a soaring Red Kite before. But that all changed when she became RSPB NI’s Volunteer Coordinator for the Red Kite Conservation Project here in Northern Ireland.  

“It will go down as a big ‘wow’ moment in my life,” Jacqui told us, describing her trip …

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…

Today, in honour of this year’s Volunteer Week, we shine a spotlight on the incredible volunteers who dedicate their time and passion to RSPB NI.  

We are thrilled to share the experiences of three remarkable volunteers who have made a significant impact in their respective roles. Let's hear from RSPB NI Team Member Dara Brown, Kim Hamilton and Clive Cook, both passionate RSPB NI Volunteers!

What is it like volunteering…

134 years ago, the passion and dedication of volunteers laid the foundation for the RSPB. As someone who has been fortunate enough to volunteer with the RSPB, I can attest to the vital role volunteers play in keeping our organisation thriving. Across the whole of the RSPB, there are more than 12,000 fantastic volunteers and between them, they contribute almost 1 million hours every year!  

Every day, our volunteers support…

 RSPB NI host ‘Save our Wild Isles: Food and Farming’ Conference in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and The National Trust. 

 

• Exploring the role of agricultural policy reform, in the context of the nature and climate crisis
• One day conference on 30 May 2023, at Riddel Hall, QUB, Belfast
• Showcasing ‘Hungry for Change’ Save Our Wild Isles film

 

This one-day conference hosted…

Tomorrow's session is now full! A big thank you to everyone joining in. Couldn't make it this time? Not to worry, the next Volunteer Taster Day will be on the 24th of June.

Are you interested in getting outdoors, making new friends and helping nature thrive? Volunteering with RSPB provides all that and more.

This taster day is an excellent opportunity to get a sense of the practical habitat management work that…

Local Community Men’s Sheds groups supporting major project on Rathlin Island with RSPB NI & RDCA 

Six local community Men’s Sheds groups from across Northern Ireland have taken up the opportunity to use their engineering skills and carpentry knowledge to help a major conservation project on Rathlin Island, in partnership with RSPB NI.  

 

This month, visitors from the Men’s Sheds groups were invited to Rathlin…

RSPB NI has launched its manifesto for Northern Ireland’s local government election. It has set out a number of key actions that need to be taken to help councils play their part in tackling the nature and climate emergency.

 John Martin, Head of Policy and Advocacy, RSPB NI commented: 

“With 11% of species at risk of extinction here in Northern Ireland there is an urgent need for action on biodiversity loss and…

RSPB NI are inviting you to join us this weekend from 28^th April – 1^st May for ‘Wild Weekender’ to sow, grow and create thriving habitats for the nature on your doorstep.

Whether it’s a garden, a balcony, or an unloved community space, any outdoor area can become a flourishing haven. RSPB have even put together a handy guide which gives some simple and fun ways to transform any outdoor area.

UK nature…

Last year the NI Assembly passed its first Climate Change Act, and now the NI Assembly and government departments must create an ambitious Climate Action Plan to implement the legislation. 

The Northern Ireland Climate Action Plan will set out the policies and programmes necessary to deliver net zero by 2050 in Northern Ireland. RSPB NI has laid out 4 key tests that must be met as government prepares to publish its first…

Rathlin Island, off the north coast of Antrim, is considered by scientists to be one of the most important breeding sites for marine birds across our islands.  It's home to Northern Ireland's largest seabird colony, made up of Puffins, G...

RSPB NI is appealing for members of the public to report sightings of majestic Red Kites in Northern Ireland as the 2023 breeding season gets underway.

Seeing these majestically graceful birds of prey soar through the skies is an unforgettable sight. Unmistakable with it’s reddish-brown body, their tail feathers fan out with a deep ‘v’ in the middle, creating a distinctive silhouette against the sky when they are in flight…

Our wild isles are home to some unique and truly special habitats and wildlife. But our nature is in crisis, and we must all play our part to bring it back from the brink.  

Last Sunday, Sir David Attenborough took us on a magical tour of our woodlands on the BBC One programme ‘Wild Isles’ and I was captivated! From mind-blowing fungal networks to acrobatic red squirrels, it really showed how our forested landscapes are…

By Ruby Free with contributions from Erin McKeown

Wild Isles featured our stunning marine environments and showcases the mounting threats it faces.

Common Dolphin Calf by Ruby Free

What a way to end an incredible TV series. The final episode of Wild Isles showcased the wonders of our incredible marine environment! From seals to sea grass, our seas are rich in biodiversity that is often hidden out of sight! In fact,…

With contributions by Dakota Reid, Conservation Officer for Planning

“Freshwater, on its journey from the mountains to the sea, has fed and refreshed the natural world - it is the lifeblood of our Wild Isles.” - David Attenborough 

Kebble Lough by Ruby Free

Without freshwater, there would be no life.

The backbone of every ecosystem, freshwater underpins our earthly cycles, gives us water for drinking and…

The start of a new seabird season on Rathlin Island

The LIFE Raft Biodiversity team have been busy over the winter period, working on a variety of tasks. Alongside the work on analysis, planning and preparation, I was honoured to give talks to various groups including the Northern Ireland Ornithology Club, Rathlin Island Community, Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club, and The British Trust for Ornithology. Meanwhile, Ric…

With contributions from Dr Jonathan Bell, Head of Land and Sea Policy and Louisa Williams, Work Placement Student for the Policy and Advocacy Team. 

On Tuesday 21 March we launched our Nature Investment Plan for Northern Ireland at a roundtable event, hosted by Danske Bank, in conjunction with Business in the Community.  

The roundtable discussion included stakeholders from business, finance, nature conservation and government…

On Sunday Sir David Attenborough took us on a magical tour of our woodlands – and we were captivated! From mind-blowing fungal networks to acrobatic red squirrels, our forested landscapes are brimming with life.   But our woodlands ar...