If you're around Lough Neagh and spot one of our ringed birds, please let us know via email! ([email protected])
The BTO NI Science team was joined by our gull-tagging experts from BTO Scotland a couple of weeks ago to do a second-year of GPS-tagging of Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Lough Neagh 🪶
Last year, our Lough Neagh gulls made it all the way to Mauritania! 🌍
The tagging helps us to understand more about where these species are feeding on the Lough, as well as learn more about their behaviour during and outside the breeding season.
Special shout out of thanks to Lough Neagh Partnership and the local wildfowlers who have been supporting our work, as well as helping us to get around on the Lough 🚤
Each bird was:
✔️ weighed
✔️ had its bill-length and wingspan measured
✔️ had its moult feathers counted
✔️ it was ringed and colour-ringed
✔️ it was fitted with a GPS harness.
(All activities were carried out under licence)
Getting involved with WeBS is a great way to use your bird skills, plus it can be a handy motivator to get some fresh air during the winter months.
If you're near Omagh and fancy giving WeBS a go at Lough Muck please get in touch with us - [email protected]
Are you a Swiftie? 🎵 😀 Did you know that the longevity record for Swift in Britain & Ireland is 17 years, 11 months & 5 days old? 😮
You can help us monitor this species by submitting your sightings to BirdTrack via www.bto.org/birdtrack #WorldSwiftDay
📷Philip Croft/BTO
Volunteers are at the heart of BTO. 🐦 We couldn't achieve what we do for birds, science & people without you. Thank you! Here's a snapshot of what some of our survey volunteers have achieved 🙌
From Regional Reps to BTO Youth, there's a variety of volunteer roles at BTO➡️ www.bto.org/volunteer
Take part in our Birds in Greenspaces Day this Saturday 13 June! 🐦 Just download the app, select your greenspace and submit the birds you encounter on your visit. Sign up at www.bto.org/greenspaces
We simply wouldn't know nearly as much about our breeding birds without the volunteers who give of their time and skills to collect data on our behalf.
Today, we celebrate you.
Thank you so much 👏
Video
BTO Northern Ireland
BTO Northern Ireland
BTO Northern Ireland
BTO Northern Ireland
BTO Northern Ireland
BTO Northern Ireland
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology
BTO Northern Ireland
If you’re a birder in Northern Ireland, we need your help! Lough Muck in Co. Tyrone has only been counted twice in 1992 and attracts common waterbird species. If you can help please contact us via the "Contact the Local Organiser" button at app.bto.org/websonline/s...
#Ornithology #UKBirding
It’s Volunteers’ Week! 2025 was the best year on record for BBS coverage across the UK. Thank you so much to the 2,828 volunteers who took part in the survey last year. We appreciate your time and effort. @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspbscience.bsky.social #Ornithology #VolunteersWeek
@btobirds.bsky.social Birds in Greenspaces day this Saturday. Get out there and record some birds!
Please share!
#birds
