CBO Facebook feed

2 weeks ago

Thrilled to be honoured with the Lasting Contribution Award at the Live Here Love Here Community Awards ceremony last night. Since 1954 we’ve been Northern Ireland’s only Bird Observatory, completely volunteer led, leading research on seabird and waterfowl ecology and population studies through our decades long ringing project on Manx Shearwaters, Tysties, Gulls and Eiders along with our passerine ringing. We also play a huge role in training the newest T-permit ringers coming through our doors.This award belongs to everyone who has volunteered their time and support to allow the observatory to continue with our vital work, so thank you all! ... See MoreSee Less

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Copeland Bird Observatory

2 weeks ago

Hi everyone! We are really looking forward to the upcoming Ballynature Day on 1st March 2025.🦆As per tradition, Copeland Bird Observatory will have a stand among the other exhibits, so please pop by to say hello! Looking forward to seeing you there!🐦(PS. We may have merch available to buy!) ... See MoreSee Less

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Copeland Bird Observatory

2 months ago

In the absence of our dedicated volunteers, digital technology allows us to continue monitoring the birds and other wildlife on Old Lighthouse Island, and I'm sure you'll agree from the pictures, to spectacular results.For the past couple of years, we have been utilising remote sensor cameras to monitor birds, during the bird breeding season, migration periods and in winter. The images below show some of the more interesting captures, e.g. Ring Ouzel, Short-eared Owl and Woodcock. They also provide some great insights into the birds behaviour and usage of the island, e.g. a Woodock returning to the same spot for 8 days in a row or the number of predators that peer into Puffin burrows. In 2024 we had an Otter family in residence (2 pups) and the cameras showed them visiting all parts of the island, but unfortunately, also eating our lovely breeding seabirds. The cameras have recorded 44 species of bird so far.This year we moved into the world of Passive Acoustic Monitoring, which is more or less recording birds on call. Given the presence of thousands of breeding Manx Shearwaters and large gulls, this monitoring method is intended for the peripheral and closed season, with particular attention to noc-mig (nocturnal migration). The initial trials in late October were successful, notching up 38 species and an additional 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, to those trapped and ringed on manned trips (note: further recordings yet to be analysed).A detailed report on digital recording will be included in a future CBO Annual Report.A big thank you goes to the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording - CEDaR & Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, who funded the purchase of the equipment.Thanks also to the volunteers who view the many thousands of images and listen to hours of recordings to extract the records. ... See MoreSee Less

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Copeland Bird Observatory

5 months ago

What to do if you Find a Stranded Manx ShearwaterEvery September, thousands of young Manx shearwater fledglings leave the comfort of their burrows in the UK/Ireland and head for their wintering waters off the coast of South America. They head out to sea but can be blown inland as a result of bad weather. This can also happen during foggy nights, when mainland lights cause them to become disorientated and stranded on land.CBO has been working with Manx shearwaters since the 1950s and the Copeland Islands currently host around 4,500 breeding pairs during the summer months. Our ringing projects with these birds provide vital insight into their migratory and feeding behaviour, with academic experts conducting important research on the island every year.If you discover one of these seabirds stranded on land, you can place them in a ventilated cardboard box in an undisturbed area (if you find more than the one stranded bird please place them in separate boxes). Please prevent dogs from approaching the birds to avoid unnecessary stress and do not attempt to feed them.The birds can only be released at nightfall on the coast.Copeland Bird Observatory has a small team of dedicated volunteers who can assist with the release of Manx shearwaters if they are found stranded.You can send us a message on Facebook or contact the numbers below:Wesley - 07837 449264Niall - 07805774603David - 07934 416668If our volunteers can make it to your location quickly and if the bird is uninjured, we may also be able to ring the bird by placing a special metal ring around their leg, which will allow us to see if they return to CBO as adults.You can read more about saving stranded manxies here:birdwatchireland.ie/grounded-manx-shearwaters-need-a-helping-hand/ You can also email us at CopelandBirds@outlook.com for more information.🐦Image: A young Manx shearwater being released at Whitehead, Co. Antrim. ... See MoreSee Less

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Copeland Bird Observatory

7 months ago

We were delighted to welcome DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA to Copeland Bird Observatory on Wednesday. 🌞🐦We talked about the history of the Observatory and shared information about our long term research projects, such as the ringing and tracking of our Manx Shearwaters and our gull colour ringing projects. We took the opportunity to thank the Minister for the continued generous support received from the Department over the years.Thank you to all our supporters who have helped us reach the 70 year mark and will keep us going for many more to come!If you are interested in spending a weekend at the observatory or would like more information, check out the website - www.thecbo.org.uk/ ... See MoreSee Less

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