• Celebrating Volunteer Week 2023: Introducing RSPB NI’s New Volunteering Development Officer

    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…

  • Celebrating Volunteer Week 2023: Let’s hear from RSPB NI Volunteers!

    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…

  • Celebrating Volunteer Week 2023: Volunteers at the forefront of RSPB work

    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

     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…

  • Get a 'taste' for Volunteering with RSPB NI this May

    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

    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 launches local government election manifesto

    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…

  • It’s time to go Wild for Nature with RSPB NI!

    RSPB NI are inviting you to join us this weekend from 28th April – 1st 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…

  • Northern Ireland’s Landmark Climate Change legislation will mean nothing without an ambitious and robust climate action plan

    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…

  • Seabird SOS - A response to the plight of Rathlin Island's seabirds

    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...
  • It's eyes to the skies for Red Kites this spring.

    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.

    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…

  • Our Ocean Odyssey – Wild Isles

    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,…

  • Fantastic Freshwater - Wild Isles

    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 new seabird season on Rathlin Island - Guest blog from James Crymble, Conservation Scientist

    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…

  • Northern Ireland Nature Investment Plan Launch

    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…

  • Woodlands are among our most nature-rich habitats, but they are under threat. A guest blog by Dakota Reid, Conservation Officer, RSPB NI

    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...
  • Get a 'taste' for Volunteering with RSPB NI this March

    Come along to one of our practical 'volunteer taster days' at RSPB NI's Belfast Lough Reserve.  Are you interested in getting outdoors, making new friends and helping nature thrive? Volunteering with RSPI proves all that and more.&nb...
  • Our Precious Wild Isles, A guest blog by Ruby Free, Campaigning Communications Officer, RSPB NI

    Nature is amazing. It's also under threat.  The first episode of Wild Isles showcased the beauty and fragility of our isles, that are sadly becoming a lot less wild.  How did the white-tailed sea eagles make you feel as they towered over Is...
  • RSPB NI responds after DAERA confirms that Northern Ireland is in the middle of a nature crisis

    RSPB NI responds after DAERA confirms that Northern Ireland is in the middle of a nature crisis, with the future of hundreds of species hanging in the balance.

    DAERA has just published its new priority species list which comes into force on 27 February 2023. The priority species list is a list of species which require conservation action because of their decline, rarity and importance in an all-Ireland and UK context…

  • A summer on Rathlin is a summer well spent.

    Guest blog from Rebecca Tanner, former Visitor Experience Officer at Rathlin Seabird Centre

    For six months last year, I had the privilege of living and working on Rathlin, a small isle off the coast of Northern Ireland. My time there was packed full of the most incredible wildlife encounters, and I wanted to share some of those special moments.  

    Guillemots and jumplings  

    With around 150,000 birds, Rathlin has the largest…

  • Fall in love with Nature this February

    If you wait until spring has sprung to get outside and connect with nature, you’ll miss out on some incredible wildlife encounters.

    Can you believe it’s nearly the end of January already? February is the month of love and there’s no doubt that we’ve all fallen in love with our garden birds this winter, from witnessing the wonders of nature through Winterwatch, to wrapping up warm and getting into the garden for…

  • RSPB NI's Youth Get Together

    On Friday 27th January, Belfast’s Window on Wildlife welcomed RSPB Youth Campaigners for their third Youth Get Together!

    The meet up was a great opportunity for RSPB NI’s Youth Campaigners to connect with likeminded volunteers, get hands-on experience with conservation work, contribute to citizen science, receive campaigns training and develop their professional skills.

    Campaigns and Communications Officer…

  • An unexpected visitor makes an appearance on a recent RSPB NI Local Group visit to The Bann Valley

    During a recent RSPB NI Local Group excursion to The Bann Valley, the group was delighted to spot something special gliding around the hides. The Local Group excursion took place on November 9, and the morning started off as a cold, grey Saturday where expectations were low in what they might spot due to the weather and the high tide. The group were huddled together in one of the hides situated along the river Bann estuary…

  • Campaigning for Change

    There are so many ways to save nature.

    Post Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a redevelopment of DAERAs Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland already underway, we demand that targets in law for nature protection and restoration are implemented. At the end of the CBD, a Global Deal for Nature was agreed and now we want Northern Ireland’s government departments to implement vital measures that are necessary…