Lough Neagh Breeding Terns and Gulls

The Lough Neagh Partnership Ranger Team survey 15 island sites for breeding Common Tern and Black-headed Gulls during the summer months. Both of these species are amber listed and feature species of the Lough Neagh ASSI and SPA designations. We are also working in partnership with a number of wildfowling clubs on the Lough to carry out habitat management works on some of these islands to bring them into more favorable condition to benefit these protected species.

The Torpedo Platform in Antrim Bay is a stronghold for breeding Common Terns. During the 2024 survey season our highest count of Common Tern on the platform was 175 adult birds.

With funding from the DAERA EF Challenge Fund, Lough Neagh Partnership have installed a livestream camera on the Torpedo Platform enabling the public to view the terns and gulls rearing their young. We have also installed a protective barrier around the perimeter of the platform to prevent young chicks falling into the water below. The stream can be viewed here during breeding season >> https://loughneaghpartnership.org/torpedo-platform-webcam/

For more information about this project, please contact ciara.laverty@loughneaghpartnership.org

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