Oxford Island

11K likes • 12K followers

Message

Oxford Island

Intro

Oxford Island is located on the shores of Lough Neagh, Owned and managed by Armagh City, Banbridge &

Page · Environmental conservation organisation

Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, Craigavon, Craigavon, United Kingdom

+44 28 3832 2205

[email protected]

oxfordisland.com

Price range · £

92% recommend (208 reviews)

Featured

Great morning of habitat management with Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland @ Craigavon Lakes

What a great morning at Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council's Craigavon Lakes! Staff from the Council, Lough Neagh Partnership and Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland staff and volunteers tackled an area of gorse to improve habitat for Cryptic Wood White and Common Blue. If you missed the opportunity, we have a couple more planned for a weekday and Saturday in January so watch this space 🦋

May be an image of dragonfly, dandelion and nature

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed there are hardly any butterflies (or bees) around this Summer? By now sightings of species such as meadow browns (pictured), large and small whites, small tortoiseshells, ringlets and peacocks would be fairly common. Our wildflower and garden flower patches that should be buzzing with the hum of pollinators by now are worryingly quiet and the dismal weather is only one part of the puzzle.

Like many I can recall when summer car trips meant frequent cleaning of the windscreen to remove the debris of splatted insects. Surveys going back 20 years to 2004 reveal a staggering drop (78%) in the number of insects found splattered on number plates and leading entomologists estimate that insect populations are 90% to 95% down compared with a century ago .

One thing that we can all do to help is to get out and help gather more information. Last week Butterfly Conservation launched their annual Big Butterfly Count (BBC) 2024. This is a national citizen science project where people help to survey their local area. So if you’re looking for a family activity to do this summer why not join in by following the link. All you need now is 15 minutes of sunny weather and you’re set to do a BBC either at home or when you pop down to Oxford Island or visit our local council parks and gardens.

https://butterfly-conservation.org/discover-and-learn/activities-and-resources/big-butterfly-count-2024

Our butterflies and other insects are telling us something very important about the state of our natural world. There are several probable reasons for this sudden reduction compared with typical summers. The cool and wet spring has undoubtedly suppressed insect numbers but even with the dismal weather factored in, this year’s sudden drop is a worrying escalation of the trend of much longer-term decline. A combination of factors that include habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, intensive farming practices, pollution and the impacts of climate change have all contributed to the problem.

If you are looking for something interesting to do in the borough this weekend why not go along to “Creatures of the Night” – moth trapping event at Navan Centre & Fort, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh
Saturday 6th July at 10am – 12pm (WEATHER PERMITTING - see below)

Come along to see some of the amazing and beautiful moths that fly around the grounds of the Navan Centre at night. Rosemary and Marcus, volunteers with Butterfly Conservation NI will be opening the moth trap that was put out the night before. It will be a good chance to see some colourful characters like the Elephant hawk-moth (pictured), brimstone and garden tiger.

The event is suitable for all ages, is free of charge and the Navan Centre has great facilities including a lovely café. This is a very relaxed event, so feel free to come and go as you please.

If the weather is very poor during the night ie strong winds or heavy rain, we may have to cancel, so keep an eye on our social media or give us a call before you leave home.

For more details, contact Rosemary on 07708819592.

Posts

Filters

Facebook

Oxford Island

2--3---- -----Jan-u-a-r-y-- -----------a-t 1--9-----:00---

Well done to everyone who came last weekend for our Big Garden Bird Watch Prep! Now for the real thing…

This weekend, 24th to 26th Jan, why not take an hour to record and observe the birds that land around your garden?

Your time and effort help the RSPB understand how our garden birds are faring. Even if you saw nothing, it still counts!

To register for the RSPB Annual Big Garden Bird Watch, and receive your free How-To-Guide, click here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen…

487AZRDnD.com

Tara

Well done to everyone who came last weekend for our Big Garden Bird Watch Prep! Now for the real thing… This weekend, 24th to 26th Jan, why not take an hour to record and observe the birds that land around your garden? Your time and effort help the RSPB understand how our garden birds are faring. Even if you saw nothing, it still counts! To register for the RSPB Annual Big Garden Bird Watch, and receive your free How-To-Guide, click here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch Happy spotting, everyone!

All reactions:

Comment

Facebook

Oxford Island

--18-- -Janu----a-r--y- -a-t------- --19---:--0----------0

World Wetlands Day Saturday 1st February 2025

Celebrate World Wetlands Day with the Conservation Service at Oxford Island NNR on 1st February at 10.30am.

We will start with an information session on wetlands and how we can all contribute to protecting them. Experienced staff will lead a bird watching walk, taking time to explain the management of the site and its designations.

This is a free event and to reserve a place please send an email to [email protected] stating the number of people in your party. This event is suitable for both adults and children.

m.me

Photos from Oxford Island's post

c8buw16nGKYXMdSQy5cSstRqwO7XV4ZNOFnAdUIl3IzYjBOgouUcpeWjj4NGhgVymy8EcQczkN

All reactions:

You and 22 others

Comment

Facebook

Oxford Island

--16-- -Janu----a-r--y- -a-t------- --15---:--1----------7

Preparing for the Big Garden Bird Watch

Join us on Saturday 18th Jan, ahead of the RSPB's Big Garden Bird Watch! Learn fascinating facts about our woodland and garden birds, looking at beaks, feet and their feeding habits. Enjoy a short bird watching walk at Oxford Island and have a go at making a treat for the birds that visit your garden

We still have a few spaces available for this free event which is suitable for children aged 6 and over.

To secure your spot, email …