Lough Neagh: Catching birds shows how wildlife is faring

The details of the birds are recorded – weight, age and sex – before they are set free with the addition of a lightweight metal ring on their leg so their movement can be tracked should they be caught again.

After two years at Killycolpy, Lough Neagh Partnership ranger Ciara Laverty and the team have seen changes.

Last year, she said, they caught more than 90 sedge warblers but “we’re seeing a bit less this year and out in the field”.

“We’re hearing other birds like grasshopper warblers wailing away, but this year we are seeing less sedge warblers, and talking to other people who have similar projects, it seems to be the same at their sites as well.”

And they have been left with questions.

“There has been a lot of press about the blue-green algal crisis, we don’t know how that’s affecting our birds and other wildlife around the lough.”