Lough Neagh Partnership

13/10/2026

Some things we can all do to protect and improve our water quality:

✅Stop and think – not down the sink – don’t scrape food or put fats, oils or grease down the sink
✅ Only rain down the drain – don’t pour waste fats, oils and grease down drains or sewers & dispose of chemicals, paints & used cooking oil at household waste recycling centres
✅Limit chemical & pesticide use & disposal
✅Don’t flush it – bag it and bin it – only the 3Ps – p*e, poo & paper should go down the toilet

Find out more at ➡️ NIEA Water Pollution Leaflet - https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/niea-water-pollution-leaflet-youre-solution-water-pollution

12/10/2026

Every Bird Counts – World Migratory Bird Day 2026

At Lough Neagh Partnership, we undertake regular wetland bird surveys along the western shoreline of Lough Neagh, monitoring bird populations and gathering valuable data to help us understand changes over time.

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has shared some interesting findings from 50 years of wetland bird monitoring, highlighting just how important long-term surveys are in understanding and protecting our bird populations.

50 years! 🥳 Here's what we've found out ⬇️🦆

Waterbirds in the UK increased in number between 1970 to 1994, particularly in and around estuaries. 📈

However, during the following 25-year period, the results were mixed, as geese and swan populations increased, but waders declined between 1995 and 2019. 📉

The importance of human-made habitats such as reservoirs for several species, including Tufted Duck, Pochard, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. 🦆

📍Our findings can help inform conservation action, which will hopefully secure a better future for many of these migratory species.

Thanks to the thousands of volunteers who so generously give their time to take part in the survey. 🙌 You can become one too by visiting www.bto.org/webs

WeBS - The Wetland Bird Survey is coordinated by BTO British Trust for Ornithology in partnership with RSPB & JNCC.

09/10/2026

🌿 Peatland monitoring at School Lands

The Lough Neagh Rangers have been out at School Lands this week, measuring peat depths and completing Rapid Condition Assessments.

On Thursday, they were joined by members of RSPB for training in Common Standards Monitoring for lowland raised bogs. The Rangers hope to carry out this monitoring throughout the School Lands site.

The monitoring will inform the peatland restoration plan and help assess the possibility of designation for the site.

09/10/2026

08/10/2026

💧 Follow these 5️⃣easy steps to help look after our local water environment and prevent water pollution.

1. Stop & think – not down the sink
2. Know your drains & check for misconnections
3. Ensure correct disposal of chemicals, paints, fats & oils
4. Limit chemical & pesticide use
5. Don’t flush it. Bag it & bin it

Learn more ➡️ https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/householder-awareness-improving-water-quality-your-local-area

07/10/2026

Last week we were getting into the spooky spirit on our Killycolpy bat walk 🦇 we detected five species including the soprano and nathusius' pipistrelle and the whiskered bat. Thank you to everyone that came along! The bats will be going into hibernation soon so we'll not see them again until next year.

05/10/2026

01/10/2026

👀See it – Report it! You can help be part of the solution to water pollution.

💧Water pollution isn’t always obvious. When you’re out walking near rivers, streams, lakes or beaches, keep an eye out for signs that something isn’t right.

Find out more ➡️ https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/see-it-report-it-you-can-help-be-part-solution-water-pollution

Lough Neagh Partnership Ulster Farmers' Union Northern Ireland Environment Link Northern Ireland Water

30/09/2026

🌍 Learning from shared challenges

We were delighted to welcome Mr Li Nan, Consul General of China in Belfast, and Cllr Henry Cushinan, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, to Forthill Farm for a knowledge exchange focused on water quality and sustainable agriculture.

The Consul General shared the experience of Lake Taihu in China and the successful efforts to address its pollution challenges, followed by a presentation from Lough Neagh Partnership on our work across the Lough Neagh catchment.

Mike Meharg then led a tour of his family farm beside the Crumlin River, which flows into Lough Neagh, showcasing practical environmental farming measures being successfully delivered on the ground. 🌱💧

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough

29/09/2026