Some of our most iconic seabirds urgently need our help so they don’t fade into extinction
Saving Swifts
Providing nesting sites for this migratory favourite
Big Garden Birdwatch
The most-seen species in this year’s survey
As we look forward to spring approaching and the sound of baby chicks, we reflect on some of the incredible successes for species and conservation work last year during breeding season. It’s a reminder of the continued efforts needed to protect species such as the Curlew (p3) and Puffin (p6) and how the RSPB is teaming up for Swifts (this page).
It’s been a busy start to the year with Big Garden Birdwatch back in January, a real highlight for me and a great way to start the year. It gives us an opportunity to get closer to nature and help count our feathered friends. You can see the results of this year’s watch on page 3.
We’re gearing up for another season on Rathlin Island as the West Light Seabird Centre reopened on 1 April. Make sure to get a date in the diary for a visit this year to see our seabirds in all their glory, soaring among the cliffs. We’ve also put together a guide to what to do on the island (p8) if you’re prepping for a visit, whether it’s your first or 50th!
It’s International Dawn Chorus Day on 5 May, which is a great opportunity to enjoy nature’s greatest symphony (page 4).
I hope you enjoy this issue of Nature’s Voice and thank you for your ongoing support.
Joanne Sherwood Director, RSPB NI
Species
Swifts have captured imaginations for centuries. They feed and sleep on the wing, travelling thousands of miles to breed in Northern Ireland to delight us with their screaming calls in summer. But, unfortunately, Swifts have declined by 60% since 1995, and are now on the Red List in the UK and Ireland.
One of the causes of this is a loss of breeding habitat. Swifts nest in the cavities of buildings, but with many modern houses
lacking these spaces, they are struggling to find safe nesting spots. However, Swift bricks offer a simple and affordable solution. These non-obtrusive bricks can be inserted during construction and offer a cavity to nest in.
RSPB NI is working in partnership with the RSPB Local Groups and the Swift Group Forum to advocate for the installation of swift bricks in renovations and new builds. This new forum has been formed to create opportunities for raising awareness and engaging local communities in the protection of Swifts. By working together, we can turn the tide for this special bird.
decline in Swifts since 1995 60%
The call of the Curlew should be louder this year as we head into a new breeding season. This is due to the unprecedented success of our conservation work last year, although the numbers of Curlew remain precarious.
RSPB NI’s conservation efforts in the Antrim Hills and County Fermanagh are a beacon of hope amidst just 150 estimated remaining breeding pairs in Northern Ireland.
In County Fermanagh, 52 pairs were recorded at lower and upper Lough Erne and on land under the RSPB NI Advisory team. Monitoring
the species can be challenging due to the landscape in Co. Fermanagh, but the team saw significant increases of the species last year. Glenwherry continued its breeding success for this evocative bird, with 55 fully fledged Curlew chicks recorded last year. The team has been busy prepping habitats, putting up nest protection and getting ready for the breeding season.
It is important to remember that while these conservation efforts are working and numbers of breeding Curlew are rising, there is still a mammoth job ahead to bring this species back from the brink.
RSPB NI staff teamed up with volunteers from across Northern Ireland to gather nettle roots for the Give Corncrake a Home project. The initiative creates essential habitat for Corncrakes on Rathlin Island.
Conservation Officer Anne Guichard said, “With just four male Corncrakes heard calling during the 2023 breeding season, the population is still alarmingly low. This is why we must continue to create essential nettle habitat, and the invaluable help from volunteers and farmers on this project will make a significant difference to the fate of this species.”
We kicked off the start of the year with one of our most popular activities. Big Garden Birdwatch brought thousands of people together right across the UK to count our feathered friends. The annual citizen science event is one of the largest in Europe and is critically important in understanding how garden birds are faring. This year, the number one spot was once again given to the House Sparrow! No surprise, given that this is its fifth year running as the most-spotted species in gardens and green spaces. In second place was the Starling and finishing up in the top three was the Blue Tit.
As always, we thank you for taking part and helping birds by gathering data for us. Once the full results of this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch are available, you can find them at rspb.org.uk
Nancy Reed, Site Manager, Area West, RSPB Northern Ireland
I am the site manager for the west area of Northern Ireland, which means I am responsible for the nature reserves in this region, a role I started in February 2023. I have always wanted to live and work here, so am incredibly lucky to be living my dream. I feel very privileged to be involved with the nature reserves and the incredible team of people who help look after the sites and species, such as Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe and more!
Lough Beg ASSI Breeding Wader surveys take place each year, carried out by RSPB NI staff and volunteers.
The annual surveys continue an ongoing monitoring programme of breeding waders undertaken since 1986 by RSPB NI. They add to an extensive data set that allows us to determine species population trends over time.
Surveys involve three site visits between late April and mid-June, beginning at sunrise during heightened bird activity.
International Dawn Chorus Day is on 5 May this year, so make sure to set your alarm and open up the windows to listen out for Blackbirds, Robins and more, performing their love songs and defending their patch.
In spring, as the days get longer, wildlife starts to think about the need to breed. For many male birds, this means belting out the well-worn but wonderful classics to try and attract females. So, make sure to tune in for the dawn chorus and spend a morning listening to the beautiful sounds of spring and appreciate all that nature has to offer this season.
The aim is to record all the waders seen and evidence of breeding, such as alarm calling or displaying. Snipe, Redshank and Lapwing are recorded as these are our priority breeding species at Lough Beg.
The suvey results showed that breeding wader pairs are on the increase again at Lough Beg after a period of decline, potentially a positive effect from the habitat management being carried out by landowners and nature reserve staff.
Almost gull-like, this grey and white seabird is related to the Albatross. The Fulmar flies low over the sea on stiff wings, with shallow wingbeats, gliding and turning to show its white then grey upperparts. At its breeding sites, it will fly high up the cliff face, riding the updraughts. Fulmars feed in flocks and have been known to spit foul-smelling oil at intruders.
Last year we launched the first of two Nature Positive Changemakers Programmes. This outdoor learning initiative is bringing together 30 leaders from the formal and informal sectors. Through the programme, they will receive the tools they need to educate young people about the nature crisis and engage and inspire them to make change.
Connecting the programmes is ‘Champion our House Sparrow’ where groups will take collective action to save and protect this endangered species. It will be monitored throughout our Nature Positive Changemakers Programme.
Scientific name
Fulmarus glacialis
Wingspan
100–112cm
Length
45–50cm
Where to see
Rathlin Island
Conservation status
Amber
Allison Leonard, Managing Director Manx BirdLife
The annual Manx BirdLife Christmas Bird Race was back again for 2023 and it was a record-breaking year!
Running from Christmas Day until New Year’s Eve, the aim of the ‘race’ is to record as many wild bird species as possible across the island during that week. It’s also a great excuse to get out of the house and get some fresh air during the festive season.
With sightings from across the island, 121 different species were recorded, one more than last year. Since the Christmas Bird Race began in 2011, 86 species have been recorded, with new species being added annually. This year, three species of bird were recorded for the first time
– Whimbrel, Greenshank and Little Auk.
The event gives a snapshot of the birds on the Isle of Man each year in the last week of December, providing a sense of how bird populations are changing on the island, and shows what an amazing variety of wildlife is here.
I’ve been a member of the RSPB for a couple of years, but I’d like to do more. How do I volunteer?
Jemma, Ballintoy
It’s amazing you’re wanting to do more to support nature in your neighbourhood! There are a few ways. There’s an RSPB volunteering opportunity for everyone – you could volunteer to do practical reserve work, like digging nettles for Corncrakes, or utilise whatever skills you have, from photography to administrative roles. Find local opportunities at volunteer.rspb.org.uk
I’ve just started feeding the birds in my garden, and I’m wondering what’s best to use, to bring more of them to my feeders?
Deirdre, Comber
We recommend high-protein foods such as black sunflower seeds, pinhead oatmeal, soaked sultanas, mealworms and good-quality seed mix. Birds also enjoy fruit such as soft apples and pears cut in half. Peanuts need to be provided in a mesh feeder to prevent them presenting a choking hazard to chicks. Keep all dried vine fruits such as sultanas up off the ground, as they are not good for pets.
I have a large garden hedge at my new house –is there any risk to wildlife if I trim it back?
Joe, Newry
As active nests are protected by law, cutting hedges should be avoided from 1 March to 31 August. September–February is the best time to tackle overgrown hedges with lower risk to baby birds, so leave the tools in the shed until then. Please carry out a thorough check first.
The latest Seabird Census reveals the drastic situation facing some of our most familiar seabird species. If we don’t act now, they won’t be here for much longer
Imagine visiting Rathlin island in the summer and there being no Puffins on the cliffs, or Fulmar soaring above the waves. That’s the reality we’re facing without ongoing and increased conservation action. The 2023 Seabird Census results painted a stark picture of the state of seabirds across the UK, and for Northern Ireland it’s a perilous situation, as species face extinction without intervention.
However, the initial data was finalised before the impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) emerged. The RSPB has since led an avian flu Seabird Surveys Project, which aimed to update colony counts of affected species following the outbreak. We know that Northern Ireland plays a key role for seabirds in the UK and is home to some of the most spectacular species on earth, including hosting one of Europe’s largest colonies of Guillemots on Rathlin island, as well as supporting Puffins, dolphins, Manx Shearwaters, and more.
It’s sobering to see the latest results, which reveal that a number of these species are facing serious declines. Common Terns have decreased by 47%,
Kittiwakes by 29% and Common Guillemots by 24%.
These are just some of the startling declines as a result of HPAI but it’s not all bad news; we have also seen an increase in seabirds such as Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Sandwich Terns.
With its rugged coastline and myriad offshore islands the UK is globally important for seabirds. However, for decades we have not looked after these natural treasures and our seabird populations have suffered, from the introduction of invasive predators that destroy nests and chicks to the increasing effects of climate change impacting food availability.
This new study shows that avian flu can be added to the long list of challenges facing our seabirds and confirms that we’re witnessing huge UK-wide declines. While there have been increases in some species, this is not reflected around the other countries of the UK. Therefore, we have a responsibility to enact measures to protect these species and support their UK-wide restoration. Our most vulnerable Red List species are also suffering drastic losses.
‘It is up to us to protect these iconic species’
To raise awareness for seabird conservation, RSPB NI collaborated with local street artists UV Arts, videographers Cinematic Sky and the North Coast community to create a larger-than-life sand installation as part of Swell Festival. This annual celebration of nature in Portrush brings together the local community to engage with nature in unique ways. The outcome was a striking portrait of one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable species, the Puffin.
As the tide turned later that day, the sea began its slow return and washed it away, serving as a reminder that nature is disappearing. That’s why we must all be part of the change every day: creating wilder spaces, making nature part of our lives, and speaking up on its behalf. If enough of us demonstrate a love for nature that can’t be ignored, we can demand more action from our leaders.
Erin McKeown, Senior Marine Policy Officer, shared her distress at the recent Seabird Census which revealed there has been a 71% decline in Puffins over the last decade. “The Seabird Census has come at a crucial time for marine life in Northern Ireland. For decades, seabird populations, including the Puffin, have been declining. It is vital that we now turn our attention to restoring their populations.
“Evidence shows that conservation efforts and policy interventions can work to increase the resilience of our seabirds. It is up to us to protect these iconic species for future generations. That’s why we are calling for a robust and ambitious Seabird Conservation Strategy for Northern Ireland, and the continuation of world-leading conservation projects such as LIFE Raft, which is currently under way on Rathlin Island.”
Seeing these continued declines reminds us that now is the time for action, not complacency. We must continue to pressure governments to act urgently to save our seabirds. Through proper implementation of these actions, alongside active conservation projects in other areas, such as tackling marine pollution and invasive species control on seabird colonies, we can properly safeguard our seabirds and make our local seas a true haven for these important species, now and into the future.
Our nature is amazing, but our precious wildlife and wild places are on the brink of disappearing. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Everyone has a part to play. Take action today and help save our wild isles at saveourwildisles.org.uk
For the latest events, including up-to-date information and new listings, head to our website events.rspb.org.uk/northernireland
Rathlin Island West Light Seabird Centre
Step off the ferry and experience the hustle and bustle of this ‘seabird city’ as thousands of birds raise their chicks precariously on the cliffs. Wander the clifftops and see how many seabirds you can spot on the offroad Roonivoolin walking trail. Head to the seabird centre from late April to early July for close-up views of Puffins, Fulmars and Kittiwakes, and keep an eye out for Lapwings, Corncrake, Snipe and Irish Hares. rspb.org.uk/days-out/ reserves/rathlin-island
Contact us
RSPB Northern Ireland Headquarters
Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 7QT 028 9049 1547 rspb.nireland@rspb.org.uk
Follow us facebook.com/RSPBNI twitter.com/RSPBNI @rspb_ni
Home to birds and wildlife from all over the world, there are plenty of species to be found, from Lapwing and terns to Curlew. If you’re new to wildlife watching, our volunteers who are regularly on site can help. The family-friendly nature reserve offers a view unlike any other, mixing the industrial harbour with the wildness of the lough. It hosts a variety of events, welcoming people of all ages to discover the nature on their doorstep. rspb.org.uk/days-out/ reserves/belfastwindow-on-wildlife
Antrim
Brenda Campbell, 028 9332 3657 group.rspb.org.uk/antrim
Belfast
Eleanor Brennan, group.rspb.org.uk/belfast
Coleraine
James McDowell, 07596 503 435 group.rspb.org.uk/coleraine
Have you considered volunteering with RSPB NI? It’s easy and full of options! bit.ly/RSPBNI_ Volunteer
This lowland, wetgrassland nature reserve boasts stunning views across Lough Neagh. The mosaic of wetgrassland habitat provides perfect opportunities for breeding Lapwings, Snipe, Redshanks, Irish Hares and the stunning Irish Lady’s-tresses orchids. In spring, Lapwings can be seen displaying, while Skylarks sing overhead. rspb.org.uk/days-out/ reserves/portmorelough
For hikers, Aghatirourke offers breathtaking views across the County Fermanagh countryside. Located in the Cuilcagh Mountain Park, this is a wonderful site for birdwatching – just bring sturdy footwear. The reserve can be wet and its walking routes are moderate to difficult. Routes to the summit are suitable for experienced hillwalkers only. You will be rewarded with sights of Wheatears and Sand Martins in spring and Hen Harriers and Peregrines in summer.
rspb.org.uk/days-out/ reserves/aghatirourke
Our newest nature reserve in Northern Ireland allows you to explore the boardwalk and mown pathways along a tranquil trail. Weaving through still pools and swathes of heather, there’s plenty to see as you explore. This former lowland raised bog has a historic network of peat pools supporting wildlife such as butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and water beetles.
Fermanagh
Rosalind McConkey, 028 6632 0794 group.rspb.org.uk/fermanagh
Lisburn
Ian Raine, group.rspb.org.uk/lisburn