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...

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...

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, 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

‘Nature Positive Northern Ireland’ campaign launched ahead of next month’s UN Biodiversity Summit in Montreal.

RSPB NI launch Nature Positive campaign in Banana Block

Northern Ireland is ranked 12th worse worldwide for biodiversity loss. From the towering Mourne Mountains to the cascading Causeway Coast and low-lying lands of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland’s environment is diverse and iconic, but it…

The evenings are drawing in, leaves are turning golden and there’s a bite in the morning air –it’s officially autumn. This is the perfect season to be out hunting and collecting plant seeds to sow in your own garden and watch them grow. If you find them in your local area, that’s a good sign they will thrive in your garden, and you’ll be increasing habitat and food for wildlife too.  

At this…

You may have noticed a few changes around here. We’re changing because the world is changing. We’ve a new look and feel to better reflect the work we are doing to protect the birds, wildlife, and wild spaces you love – now and in the future.

With the rebrand comes a change in the imagery we use, an important asset to RSPB as it allows us to communicate, engage and react to the ever-changing world around…

Great Big Green Week is the biggest collective movement to tackle climate change and protect nature in the UK. Towards the end of September, RSPB NI got involved with Northern Ireland’s only nature and climate festival, Climate Craic, an event that aims to create positive, cross-community engagement with climate action.

During the event, our staff and Youth Campaigners had a stall, to showcase what individuals can…

Blog by Dr. Jane Clarke, Nature Protection Policy Officer, RSPB NI 

Picture this, it is 1 January 2024 and as you ring in the new year hundreds of laws protecting the natural environment across Northern Ireland have just ceased to exist. Standards and protections put in place to safeguard our most precious species and habitats and ensure the water we drink or air we breathe is safe, are a distant memory. Seems drastic I…

As autumn starts getting into full swing it is a great time to notice and admire our hedgerows, seeing the last of the summer swallows bursting out as you pass, the deepening hues of the leaves, and starting to get a sense of autumn fruitfulness as blackberries...

Guest Blog by Ruby Free, Campaigning Communications Officer, RSPB NI

From the towering Mourne Mountains to the cascading Causeway Coast and low-lying lands of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland’s environment is diverse and iconic. However, it needs protecting and restoring more than ever.

Why ‘Nature Positive’?

 

Source, www.naturepositive.org

Nature Positive is a concept, established as a “north star” to…

September is a busy time of year for wildlife across Northern Ireland. As summer comes to an end, and we move towards autumn, there are still plenty of exciting things to spot in nature. The most obvious signs of the changing season are the colours o...

Summer spectacles at Portmore Lough Nature Reserve

Can you believe the school holidays are almost over?

But there’s still time for one last adventure, with a visit to RSPB Portmore Lough Nature Reserve.

Portmore has plenty for all the family to enjoy. The hay meadows attract a variety of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies that can be seen darting along the path to the hide. I’ll be keeping my eyes to the skies…