Curlew LIFE project sparks hope with record recovery in Northern Ireland
We’re protecting seabirds on Rathlin from predators
Seabirds in the red More species have been added to the Red List
Welcome to our last issue of Nature’s Voice for 2024, and what a wonderful celebration of nature we have for you. We’re turning back the clock for Curlews (P6), with the latest results of the 2024 breeding season, and we revel in the continued success of Lapwings. And look out for the wonderful video highlighting Blue Circle Island, home to a host of seabirds (P5). We also reflect on the devastating news following the latest Birds of Conservation Concern report (P3) and how important it is that we act now to protect these species.
If, like me, you’re getting ready for Christmas and need inspiration for what to get the nature-lover in your life, visit the RSPB online store. You’ll find everything from home decor to birding books, perfect for getting ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch and getting out into nature. If you haven’t yet registered then this is your reminder, find out more on page 3.
I want to express my gratitude to the RSPB NI team, for their tireless efforts to conserve nature, and to you, our members and volunteers. Thank you for your support and passion for nature in Northern Ireland.
However you spend the holiday season, I hope you get to spend some time with family and friends. I look forward to seeing you in the new year.
Joanne Sherwood Director, RSPB NI
Allison
Manx BirdLife recently hosted the first art event at Point of Ayre National Reserve. The wild summer weather only added to the sensory experience of the ‘My Mindful Nature Journal’ event that our Education Manager, Anna, ran recently in conjunction with local artist Laura Moon.
Families joined Anna and Laura, who, through their own love of the natural world and knowledge of natural history, art and mindfulness, introduced them to the wonders of nature and art through spotting and sketching the amazing wildlife found on the nature reserve in their very own nature journal.
After a walk and a chance to take a mindful moment, the families settled into the Collister Hide to do some sketching and painting of the views and wildlife they could see. The artworks produced were fantastic and several of the children even added ID notes and extraordinary bird facts to their journals with the help of ID guides and Anna’s expertise.
Everyone who came along really enjoyed themselves and we hope this is just the beginning. The children were encouraged to continue to journal their nature experiences and use it as a mindful practice to look after their mental wellbeing – something which is becoming ever more important in the face of the current biodiversity crisis.
Who’s that flitting from branch to branch? Is it a cheeky Robin or a curious Blue Tit? The birds we see in our garden, from our balconies and in our parks are a lively, colourful and endlessly fascinating part of all our lives. That’s why hundreds of thousands of nature lovers take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch.
This citizen science event is about more than just counting birds – it’s a fantastic way to connect with nature right on your doorstep. Plus, you’re helping scientists understand how our bird populations are changing. You might even spot something unusual – a rare visitor to your garden, perhaps?
Want to make the most of your Big Garden Birdwatch experience? A little preparation goes a long way towards making sure you create a bird-friendly garden, from ensuring feeders are thoroughly cleaned and providing fresh water to leaving natural areas for shelter.
Don’t worry if you’re not a bird expert – there are plenty of handy guides to help you identify your garden visitors on the RSPB website and in your registration pack. Why not get the whole family involved? It’s a great opportunity to learn and have fun together. Registration is now open Scan the code or go to www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
The latest update to the Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) report, released in September, shows alarming declines for many of our beloved seabirds. Five more species, Leach’s Petrel, Common Gull, Great Blackbacked Gull, Arctic Tern and Great Skua are now on the Red List, joining those already facing drastic declines here, such as Roseate Terns and Puffins. However, this report is sadly not a surprise, and serves as our third and potentially final warning that we’re going to lose some of our most iconic seabirds if we don’t act now to protect them. That’s why RSPB NI has called on DAERA to implement an ambitious Seabird Conservation Strategy,
to protect and recover seabird populations before it’s too late.
To find out more, go to: bit.ly/BirdsOfConservationConcern
Erin McKeown, Senior Marine Policy Officer, RSPB Northern Ireland
My role is to advocate for the protection and recovery of Northern Ireland’s incredible seabird populations and our seas. I engage with government, politicians and others who are working within the marine environment to highlight solutions for saving our seabirds.
I have the opportunity to work with colleagues from across the RSPB, from science teams to nature reserves, to understand what seabirds need, and to translate this into policy that will support marine protection.
It’s been a busy season for the LIFE Raft project on Rathlin Island. After a strong start focusing on eradicating Ferrets last year, the team is cautiously optimistic that there are only one or two left – but won’t know for certain until spring 2025. The next stage is now under way as the team turns its focus to rat eradication. An extra 11 new Field Assistants and more than a dozen residential volunteers have been recruited to join the effort in
placing bait stations every 50m across the island, including in residents’ homes and gardens. They will check and rebait them until the end of March 2025. After that will begin two years of monitoring – at the end of which we hope to be able to announce that Rathlin is rat-free, therefore removing a huge threat to the island’s seabirds.
Keep up with the project here: rathlin360.com
Glenwherry’s conservation efforts are paying off in spades. Not only have Curlew populations flourished, but Lapwings have also experienced a remarkable resurgence. Thanks to ongoing predator control and the creation of Lapwing fallow plots, these upland birds have shown a significant
increase in numbers. During the last breeding season alone, the Lapwing population grew from 22 to 32 pairs. This positive trend is a testament to the dedicated work of conservation teams, volunteers and farming partners and their commitment to protecting these vulnerable species.
The UK’s favourite bird. Thanks to its bright red breast, it’s a familiar sight year-round and often spotted on Christmas cards. Despite their cute appearance, Robins are aggressively territorial and quick to drive away intruders. They are also vociferous singers, and can be heard loud and clear all year round. Do you know why the Robin appears so frequently on Christmas cards? During the Victorian era –when the tradition of sending Christmas cards began – postmen wore red jackets, earning them the nickname of ‘robins’.
Do you know about the seabird paradise on the southern shore of Larne Lough? Home to Arctic Terns, Sandwich Terns, Black-headed Gulls, and, famously, the pair of Roseate Terns who travel as far as Namibia to set up home for the summer season. The island was created in the 1970s, turning quarry rubble into a seabird haven, thanks to Blue Circle Industries, the manufacturing company that owns the nearby quarry. Want to learn more about this incredible island? Check out the video created this past summer in partnership with Swimming Head Productions.
Scientific name Erithacus rubecula
Wingspan 20–22cm
Length 14cm
Where to see Woodland, urban and suburban areas, farmland
Conservation status Green
Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP), recently hosted a vibrant week-long festival to showcase its remarkable natural and cultural heritage in Co. Fermanagh. The festival marked the culmination of 44 successful projects undertaken since 2018, with generous support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.
From captivating storytelling to thought-provoking exhibitions, the festival offered a diverse range of activities for the community to celebrate Lough Erne’s rich cultural tapestry. The event was a platform to
highlight the positive impact of LELP’s initiatives on the landscape, nature and local communities, inspiring further involvement in preserving Fermanagh’s heritage for future generations.
As Elmarie Swanepoel, Programme Manager at LELP, expressed, “The Lough Erne Heritage Festival was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible work that has transformed our region. We were delighted to celebrate our achievements and encourage continued engagement with the unique heritage of Fermanagh.”
I’ve been taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch for the last few years, but I’ve often wondered why we do it in the winter. Surely we would get more birds in the summer?
Josie, Castlereagh
When it’s cold in winter, it’s likely more birds will come into our gardens looking for shelter and food. Less foliage on trees and bushes also makes it easier to count the birds. The Big Garden Birdwatch takes place at the same time every year, so we can look back through the years to see if anything has changed.
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to volunteer with the RSPB but I don’t have a lot of knowledge about birds. Can I still become a volunteer?
Rick, Newry
It’s amazing you want to volunteer for RSPB NI! You don’t have to be a bird or wildlife expert to volunteer with us – there are many ways to get involved, you just need a passion for helping nature. Check out the back page for some upcoming opportunities to get involved or find out more about volunteering at rspb.org.uk
I want to make sure my garden helps wildlife this winter. Any advice for how I can do this?
Nina, Lisburn
To help wildlife in winter and attract it to your garden, make sure you provide natural food, shelter and water. Plant berry-bearing shrubs, leave fallen leaves for insects, and avoid using pesticides. Create natural hiding places with brush piles or birdhouses. Ensure there’s a fresh water source, even in freezing temperatures.
As our EU LIFE-funded ‘Curlew in Crisis’ project reaches its final year, the team reflects on the remarkable results across Northern Ireland, which show what we can do for nature
The early morning mist clings to the Antrim Hills as Katie Gibb scans the horizon with her binoculars. Armed with a clipboard and a keen ear, she embarks on another day of Curlew monitoring. As a Conservation Officer for RSPB NI, Katie’s job can start as early as 5am and takes her across stunning landscapes. The haunting call of these magnificent birds, once a common soundtrack to the uplands, is now a precious sound bringing hope to the Curlew LIFE project here in Northern Ireland.
Prior to the Curlew LIFE project, there were only an estimated 150 pairs of Curlew remaining in Northern Ireland, with numbers falling by 82% since 1987, due to habitat loss, low breeding productivity and predation. The project specifically focused on implementing best-practice conservation strategies to create optimal breeding conditions for Curlew and other breeding waders such as Lapwing and Snipe, in the hopes of halting the population decline.
Curlews are ground-nesting birds, which is why it was essential for us to work in partnership with farmers, landowners and local communities to increase the quality of breeding habitat. This was
done by creating varied sward structures and more wet features, working with our partners to ensure targeted vegetation management, grazing and mechanical cutting. This created more of the open habitat that Curlews like, enabling them to watch for predators and nest comfortably.
The results of these efforts can be seen most clearly on the Antrim Hills. In conjunction with DAERA’s Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) group option, which supports farmers to help Curlew on their land, the project has seen over 200 chicks fledge from nests in Glenwherry over the course of the four-year project.
“The project has delivered another year of both challenges and remarkable successes,” says Katie. “Our prediction of increased juvenile activity proved to be correct, with a 40% surge in pairs this season. While these young birds led us on a few ‘wild Curlew chases’, we concluded that most of them didn’t attempt to breed this year, and most likely were just preparing for next season.”
Across the Antrim Hills, the team protected 29 nests, achieving a 79% hatching rate and successfully fledging
Breeding in numbers: 2024
29
Curlew nests
50
Curlew fledglings pairs of Lapwing pairs of Snipe
58
61
202
Curlew chicks fledged in Antrim Hills over four years
‘A staggering 202 Curlew chicks have fledged since the project began four years ago – a stark contrast to the previous decade’
50 chicks. This represents a significant improvement compared to previous years, bringing us closer to a self-sustaining population.
Katie adds, “For the first time we colour-ringed 68 chicks, providing crucial data on their movements and survival. A staggering 202 chicks have fledged since the project began – a stark contrast to the previous decade. These results are a reflection of the hard work of our team and the support of our partners. We are shifting our perspective from preventing local extinction to managing a recovering population. The future for Curlew in Northern Ireland is looking increasingly bright.”
Things looking up at Lower Lough Erne
The islands of Lower Lough Erne also provide ideal habitat for Curlew and other breeding waders. The species-rich wet grasslands support important
Curlews in Crisis is a four-year LIFE Nature project managed by the RSPB. Working closely with project partners, the aim is to stabilise Curlew breeding populations within five priority landscapes across the UK by improving breeding habitat conditions.
To find out more visit curlewlife.org
Join Conservation Officer Katie Gibb for a personal account of how the team and local farmers are bringing these birds back from the brink by scanning the code.
populations of lowland breeding waders, recording the highest densities of breeding Curlew anywhere in Ireland. However, the Curlew still faces a number of threats, which is why Estate Operations Manager Amy Burns and her team have been working to restore habitats, install protective fencing and monitoring wader populations.
“Last year we reported 43 pairs of Curlew breeding on the Lower Lough Erne RSPB nature reserve, an increase of seven pairs from the year prior,” said Amy. “This is an amazing achievement, given the trend in the wider landscape. This year, we’re thrilled to share that we have maintained 43 pairs of breeding Curlew and our fledgling success has increased, with a minimum of 20 fledglings taking to the sky this season.”
Intervention from the Curlew LIFE project has revealed an overall increase in breeding waders, and in particular at Upper Lough Erne, which has revealed fantastic results for Lapwing, with 58 pairs recorded since monitoring began in 2011. There has also been an increase in Snipe pairs (61) since the project began in 2021 and, for the first time since 2019, breeding Redshank have been detected at two shoreline sites.
The resurgence of the Curlew in Northern Ireland reflects the power of collaborative conservation efforts. Through a combination of habitat restoration, targeted interventions and partnerships with farmers, landowners and the public, the once declining population has shown signs of recovery.
This success story highlights the importance of sustainable land management practices and the crucial role that the conservation team, local communities and individuals play in protecting our natural heritage. The Curlew’s comeback offers hope and inspiration for the future of biodiversity in Northern Ireland.
For the latest RSPB NI events, including up-to-date information and new listings, please head to our website events.rspb.org.uk
A lens on nature: An evening with RSPB photographer Ben Andrew 21 February, 7pm–8pm Online Event
Join us for an evening with the RSPB’s Brand Photography Manager, Ben Andrew, as part of NI Science Festival. Discover the world of wildlife photography through the eyes of RSPB photographer Ben Andrew, as he shares his journey into the world of wildlife photography and his job looking after the RSPB image library. Hear stories of his adventures, challenges and triumphs as he captures the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
Booking: events.rspb.org.uk
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
‘For Peats Sake’ With Lucy Lapwing, part of the 2025 NI Science Festival 23 February, 3pm–4pm Ulster Museum, Belfast
Discover the fascinating world of peatlands and why they’re vital for our planet. In this captivating talk with RSPB Ambassador Lucy Lapwing, learn about the unique ecosystems, the wildlife that calls them home, and the role they can play against climate change. Followed by a Q&A with RSPB NI Conservation Officers, who will discuss the new Peatland Programme to increase biodiversity and protect species and habitats across Northern Ireland.
Booking: events.rspb.org.uk
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
Fermanagh
Rosalind McConkey, 028 6632 0794 group.rspb.org.uk/fermanagh
Lisburn
Ian Raine, group.rspb.org.uk/lisburn
Run by volunteers, our Local Groups are doing remarkable community work. Find out more below.
As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to vital conservation projects from Red Kite monitoring to helping dig nettles for Corncrake. Learn new skills and meet like-minded nature enthusiasts. Whether you’re passionate about birdwatching, gardening, or simply want to give back to your community, there’s an RSPB NI volunteering role to suit you. To find out more and get involved, scan this code or go to rspb.org.uk/volunteering
