Important: if you use this site regularly, please remember to login.
This will give you access to the My Records report which allows you to manage your data.
Records entered using this page will not be blurred in public reports. If you trap in your garden you may wish to use the page specifically made for submitting records from garden moth traps.
Use this page to enter records of moths for a single location.
The Northern Ireland Squirrel Forum (NISF) was established to bring together statutory and non-statutory organisations as well as representatives of country parks, private landowners and local volunteer organisations dedicated to protecting the red squirrel in Northern Ireland. The NISF provides an opportunity for the members of the group to feedback details of news, exchange ideas, new research findings, best practice on how to help conserve red and control grey squirrels.
If you spot a red squirrel which looks ill, especially if it shows signs of Squirrel pox (see the NISF website for symptoms) please email Squirrels [at] daera-ni.gov.uk (subject: Message%20via%20online%20recording%20form) (Squirrels[at]daera-ni[dot]gov[dot]uk) . We would appreciate if you can forward any photos of the sick animals to this address also, thank you.
More information can be found on the NISF web page including links to local Squirrel Groups in your area.
Important: if you use this site regularly, please remember to login.
This will give you access to the My Records report which allows you to manage your data.
In Northern Ireland the distribution of the pine marten appears to be increasing however we lack the baseline information about their presence particularly in areas outside of County Fermanagh which has been a stronghold for some years. We are interested in the relationship between pine martens and grey squirrels as there is some tentative evidence that suggests that higher densities of pine martens lead to lower densities of grey squirrels which can allow red squirrels to recolonise areas from which they have been evicted.
Pine martens (Martes martes) are shy members of the weasel family, which are about the size of a domestic cat. They are chocolate brown in colour with a creamy yellow throat bib, this bib may be used to identify individuals as the markings are variable. The pine marten and several other members of the Marten family are found throughout most of central and northern Europe. The pine marten was once heavily persecuted due to its fondness of domestic and gamebird eggs and it is now considered extinct from most of England and 95% of Wales. Their last remaining UK strongholds are Northern Ireland and Scotland, they are also found across the Republic of Ireland. They favour well wooded areas where they can nest in hollow trees and old animal homes. Pine martens eat small mammals, ground nesting birds and their eggs and seasonally available produce such as autumn fruits, nuts and berries. They are also excellent climbers and can leap from tree to tree in pursuit of squirrels.
Important: if you use this site regularly, please remember to login.
This will give you access to the My Records report which allows you to manage your data.
Invasive non-native plant and animal species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity worldwide after habitat destruction. They can negatively impact on native species, can transform habitats and threaten whole ecosystems causing serious problems to the environment and the economy.
All records and sightings will help us determine the extent of the invasive species problem in Ireland and facilitate a rapid response, where necessary.
If you know of any invasive species in any location within Northern Ireland please submit your record using the form below. If you have a picture of the species or are unsure of what you have found, please submit your images.
If you wish to enter a record for anywhere in the Republic of Ireland please do so on the Invasives.ie website.
Important: if you use this site regularly, please remember to login.
This will give you access to the My Records report which allows you to manage your data.
Important: if you use this site regularly, please remember to login.
This will give you access to the My Records report which allows you to manage your data.
Important: if you use this site regularly, please remember to login.
This will give you access to the My Records report which allows you to manage your data.
Important: if you use this site regularly, please remember to login.
This will give you access to the My Records report which allows you to manage your data.
Use this page to enter records of ladybirds for a single location. To find out more about Ladybirds see the Ladybirds of Ireland website.
There is a new Harlequin Ladybird ID sheet available for download to help with identification of this invasive species.
Submit your grasshopper records below and you’ll be contributing to the Northern Ireland survey effort for this species! We only have a few species, so that should make ID-ing them simple! Visit your site once in September and once again in October to see if they’re still hopping about.
Tip: taking a sweep net (if you have one) and combing long grassland will help track these insects down.
Download the recording form here
Download the survey methodology here
For help with identification and further information on these species, please visit the Orthoptera Recording Scheme website and visit their ‘Species Accounts’ tab: https://www.orthoptera.org.uk/home
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Colouring: Upper parts: blue-grey; breast: dark-barred white; males and females similar; juvenilles grey-brown and heavily streaked.
Size/shape: Dove size. Slim body, pointed wings - like small bird of prey e.g. kestrel or sparrowhawk.
Call: Cuc-oo (males). Bubbling call (females). Call throughout spring. To hear it, visit the RSPB website. This bird is much more likely to be heard than seen.
Timing: Arrive from Africa in April and May.
Strategy: Don't build nests, but use those of other birds e.g. dunnocks, meadow pipits etc. In host bird's nest, female cuckoo removes one egg and lays one of her own. Host bird brings up large cuckoo chick which pushes the remaining eggs or chicks out of the nest.
Occurrence: Found across Northern Ireland. More common in western parts but occurs in east also e.g. Murlough National Nature Reserve in Co. Down.
Habitat: Wide variety but prefers rough marginal land such as hillsides, heathland, scrub and marshes.
Status: Rapidly declining species. Red listed as a bird of conservation concern in UK. Northern Ireland Priority Species. Protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (NI)Order 1985 (as amended).
Threats: Land use changes leading to loss of preferred habitats such as wetlands and marginal land.
Call often mistaken for: Collared Dove or Wood Pigeon
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Honey-coloured back & wings and white underneath with a white heart-shaped face, the barn owl is a distinctive farmland bird but rarely seen in daylight in Northern Ireland. Most often reported as a large, white, ghost-like bird seen in car headlights at night. Only about 250mm from head to feet, broad wings and long wingspan make it appear much larger in flight.
Found throughout Northern Ireland but seem to avoid higher ground; can be seen throughout the year hunting for small mammals on open countryside (not within woods).
Most often confused with long-eared owl; our other resident nocturnal owl in Northern Ireland
