We picked up the trail camera left out at our Straidkilly Nature Reserve and were thrilled to find an unexpected visitor. We normally see red squirrel, badger and fox but to get a long-eared owl on the camera was a first for me!  We knew they were present in the woodland, one flew by us one day last year, but it's nice to see a photo. The photos won't win any competitions, but we use them as a recording tool to create records of species that are using the site ~ Ryan, Nature Reserves Officer

It is great to see long-eared owls on the reserve. They have been having a good year in 2020 (unlike the rest of us). It shows the quality of the woodland and surrounding habitat that they have chosen Straidkilly as their winter roost ~ Katy, Senior Conservation Officer

Sadly, fly-tipping is a regular occurrence at Slievenacloy Nature Reserve and cleaning it up takes up consider staff time and resources which should be spent protecting and caring for this special site. Most concerning of all, it poses a real threat to wildlife. We found even more rubbish on the Flowbog Road. 

Please help us keep our nature reserves clean and safe – take litter and poo bags home, and if you observe any fly-tipping please report it to us ~ Ronald, Nature Reserves Officer