Our nature reserves are buzzing this month with insects.

Our team has spotted Elephant Hawk-moths at Bog Meadows and mating Emperor moths on Ballynahone bog. 

Glenullin bog is starting to wake up too - dragonflies are emerging and sundews are appearing out of the sphagnum moss.

We have also seen four-spotted chaser dragonflies and green hairstreak butterflies at our Ballynahone Bog Nature Reserve 

~ Ronald Surgenor, Nature Reserves Officer

The meadow at Balloo Wetland is now in its second year and the perennial plants have really started to come through.

Plenty of ox-eye daisies blooming at the minute with ragged-robin growing strongly in the wet areas and red campion running along the margins under the hedge. The red clover is slowly spreading and there is a great covering of yellow rattle throughout.

There is still work to do in controlling the docks and creeping thistles over the season but the meadow will have more to give coming into the summer months and is well worth a visit.

~ Ryan Bradley, Nature Reserves Officer

This great spotted woodpecker was putting on a show at our Ballynahone Bog Nature Reserve.

Did you know that woodpeckers, previously visitors, have been nesting in Northern Ireland since 2008? The first confirmed breeding site was near Downpatrick, Co. Down.

~ Ronald Surgenor, Nature Reserves Officer

Cheese! Here are some wildlife captures from our trail camera at Straidkilly Nature Reserve. Straidkilly is home to a variety of mammals - red squirrels, badgers, pine martens but also pygmy shrew and Irish hare! 

Did you know that the picnic area of the reserve is a great spot to watch harbour porpoises? It has panoramic views across the Irish Sea to Scotland! 

~ Ryan Bradley, Nature Reserves Officer

What an amazing day! The first Swamp Festival at Bog Meadows was fantastic! The sun shone, the activities were great, the atmosphere was brilliant, and it looked like everyone was having great fun!

Huge thanks to everyone that made it happen! Arts Ekta Belfast City Council St James’ Community Farm Naomh Gall CLG

If you attended the event, please take a minute to give your feedback

~ Deborah McLaughlin, Bog Meadows Community Engagement Officer

A huge thank-you to volunteers from Energia who beat the weather last week to help our nature reserves team with important conservation work at Ballynahone Bog. Your willingness and enthusiasm were just fantastic 👏

Now more than ever, connecting with the outdoors and each other is so important and our corporate volunteer days offer fantastic team building and staff development opportunities. These days give your staff the chance to take part in important conservation work on our beautiful nature reserves. Learn more about corporate volunteering

~ Sheila Lyons, Volunteer and Training Coordinator