Blog by Ciara Laverty The alder is a hardy, native tree species that thrives in wet conditions. It is found growing along riverbanks, on the edges of ponds and the Lough Neagh shoreline. This common species is quite easy to identify- leaves are dark green and rounded in shape with serrated edges. The alder is […]
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Blog by Ciara Laverty There is an old saying that “an Oak tree spends 300 years growing, 300 years resting and 300 years dying”. These iconic trees are easily recognisable by their lobed leaves and fruiting acorns. Historically there is evidence of Oak woodland around Lough Neagh’s shores, which we can see through local place-names […]
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Blog by Ciara Laverty The Irish Hare is a sub-species of Mountain Hare and is endemic to the island of Ireland. It is Ireland’s only native lagomorph. Rabbits were introduced in the 12th century by the Normans and the Brown Hare was introduced for sport in 1800s- it is thought a small population still remains […]
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The Black Headed Gull is a common sight throughout Northern Ireland. Like other gull species, it is an opportunistic feeder with a varied diet consisting of insects, plant matter and fish. It will also readily scavenge human scraps which accounts for its presence in urban areas and gardens. Although Black Headed Gulls are a familiar […]
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Blog by Ciara Laverty Arguably one of our most charismatic mammals, the badger is instantly recognisable by its black and white striped face. They are members of the mustelid or weasel family and are related to otters, stoats and pine martens. A sociable species, badgers tend to live in groups of 2 or more individuals […]
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Buzzards are a familiar sight in Northern Ireland, but this wasn’t always the case. This species was extinct on the island of Ireland by the beginning of the 20th Century as a result of intensive persecution from humans. Luckily for us, the species recolonised from Scottish birds moving across to county Antrim and eventually spreading […]
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Blog by: Ciara Laverty Have you ever been lucky enough to see an otter? These elusive mammals are notoriously difficult to spot and it is more commonplace to see the signs they leave behind rather than the otters themselves! Look for prints alongside streams, rivers and in the soft sand on the Lough shore. Otter […]
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Blog by: Ciara Laverty Every summer Common Terns make the gruelling migration journey from West Africa to our shores. They readily breed in coastal habitats as well as inland waterways. The small islands on Lough Neagh are important breeding sites for this amber listed bird species. Common terns have a black cap, long red-orange bill […]
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Blog by: Ciara Laverty Lough Neagh supports Ireland’s largest breeding population of Great Crested Grebes. During the spring and summer months this species is unmistakable, both adults are similar in appearance with striking chestnut and black crests. Great Crested Grebes are adapted for life on the water. Legs set far back on the body makes […]
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