NIOC

On a day like today with no wind, the surface of Lough Neagh is still like a millpond. Perfect for a morning with the grebes!

HE'S BACK!! my male #swift is back from migration for his 6th breeding season in his nestbox! He hasn't touched solid ground since July 2019 and is dying for a proper preen and sleep I bet. Here we go again for another summer of swift madness 🤩

HELLO PUFFINS!!! In a world turned upside down, it's so good to see the Puffins have still made their way back to #Rathlin. They're one day early compared with the last 3 years - although if you account for the leap year, they are actually perfectly punctual once again!

@RSPBNI @Natures_Voice @niscifest @ChrisGPackham @JBAMartin - it’s all happening at Belfast’s Window on Wildlife #NISF20

Absolutely amazing to meet @ChrisGPackham today at @RSPBNI window on wildlife #WoW @niscifest

@heartofdownreds @UlsterWildlife @RedSquirrelsNI @Shanna_Rice92 @CarMFin @mstinson1871 @RonaldSurgenor @NTRangerToby @MontaltoEstate Thank you for a fascinating talk, all of our club members enjoyed it tremendously. The work you are all doing for our native reds is inspirational!

Great evening with the N.I. Ornithologists Club in the Ulster Museum talking about the little Reds. @UlsterWildlife @RedSquirrelsNI @Shanna_Rice92 @CarMFin @mstinson1871 @RonaldSurgenor @NTRangerToby @MontaltoEstate

The Wanderer Returns.....? The latest update on the satellite tagged Co. Down born Red Kite which went to Westmeath wildlifecrimeni-hawkeyes.com/2019/11/20/the…

The juvenile #Kestrels are taking to the wing & it’s just as important to record any sightings in #northernireland - check Irish.gridreferencefinder.com for coordinates & send them though to me! bit.ly/KestrelsNI #kestrelclub #northernireland @RSPBNI @BTO_NIreland @NIOC1965

Lovely to see so many Wren @NTmountstewart yesterday, such big voices for such small birds! @UlsterWildlife @RSPBNI @NationalTrustNI @nationaltrust @NIOC1965

These guys amaze me every year! Large numbers of beautiful light-bellies Brent geese on strangford lough ❤️❤️@UlsterWildlife @RSPBNI @NIOC1965

It’s never going to win any prizes for photography, but what a start to the morning, Rathlin islands Corncrake in fine song. @_Stickybeak @nibirds @NIBirdwatchers @natureofrathlin @dunbar44 @IanDickey55 @M_campbellphoto @JR_Wildlife

Great start to the morning here on Rathlin, Corncrake calling away like a goodun. @RSPBNI @nibirds @_Stickybeak @dunbar44

Absolutely thrilled to be presenting a segment on a new 6 part @bbcradioulster nature series: ‘Wild North and Warming’ - alongside the brilliant @tessa_niadh ! First episode Sat 25th May!! bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00…

Was so pleased a few weeks ago to have my first goldfinch in the garden and today they bought 4 young ones with them! ❤️❤️ @UlsterWildlife @RSPBNI @NIOC1965

THEY'RE BAAACK!! A count of 12 #swifts over Portadown this morning, and my earliest was seen on the 23rd at Lough Neagh. I look forward to seeing my pair back in their box for their 5th consecutive year!

The grebes on Lough Neagh have now settled into their territories and built their nests, and are thinking about mating & laying eggs - but there's always still time for a dance. This pair performed beautifully yesterday evening.

Too windy for the nets yet again (40mph+) so opted for a spot of spring trapping on the Causeway Coast this morning instead

Who gave David Attenborough a name badge?? 😂 #OurPlanet⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ @NetflixUK #ShareOurPlanet⁠ ⁠

Puffins back at the #Rathlin West Light #Seabird Centre today, getting used to life on land after a week away at sea @RSPBNI @gtlighthouses #seabirdersaturday