Enjoy Responsibly
Often the best relationship you can have with wildlife is a long-distance relationship!
Visiting the Mournes ? Then please remember to enjoy responsibly !
Often the best relationship you can have with wildlife is a long-distance one!
Keep a respectful distance from wildlife, especially during nesting seasons. Animals are often timid or fearful around humans. So, observe them from afar to support their well-being and preserve their natural habitat.
If you’re interested in finding out more about your local wildlife, check out https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/.
Keep dogs on a lead
Dogs are naturally curious and love exploring outdoor scents. However, their behaviour can disturb wildlife and unsettle livestock. Even if a dog isn’t aggressive, it can still cause harm ! Many birds nest on the ground, and digging near badger setts poses risks to both badgers and dogs. Enjoy your walk with your furry companion, but ensure they are on a lead and under control to protect livestock and wildlife.
Stick to existing paths and routes
The road less travelled is often “home” to some form of wildlife. Trails, even unofficial ones, offer a way to connect with the landscape while minimizing your impact on the environment. Before venturing off the beaten path, consider the potential impact on nests, warrens, and other creatures that prefer not to be disturbed. Stick to the designated trails, ensuring that wildlife can observe you from a safe distance off the track.
Be aware of nesting seasons and ground nesting birds
It’s easy to forget but many birds in Northern Ireland nest in the ground rather than in the treetops. While this may pose some risks, they are generally safe as long as humans don’t interfere. Skylarks and Curlew are just two examples of birds that nest on the ground so please be mindful when setting out on your adventure.
Please note that disturbing nests is a crime – https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-to-report-crimes/
If you’d like to find out more, head to https://www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/at-home-and-abroad/northern-ireland/
Marine wildlife disturbance
To help minimise disturbance to marine wildlife, follow best practice guidance for activities on the water and along the coast. Whether you’re boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, walking, or exercising dogs, simple actions can reduce your impact. Guidance also includes useful contacts for marine and coastal issues.
For more information please refer to Daera‘s “Avoiding Marine Wildlife Disturbance” leaflet
Leave all natural places as you find them
Steer clear of disrupting natural spaces as they serve as habitats for numerous species. Even seemingly small actions, like moving a rock, can cause significant disturbance. When exploring our picturesque landscape, we kindly urge you to Leave No Trace, to help us preserve our stunning region and ensuring the natural environment remains undisturbed for others to enjoy.
Report wildlife crime
If you do see anyone treating wildlife poorly, please call 101 and report the incident. For more information on what wildlife crime consists of, check out How to report a wildlife crime, Northern Ireland, PAW NI (wildlifecrimeni.org)
Avoid the spread of invasive species
The ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ Campaign’ aims to raise awareness about biosecurity and the impacts of litter. The campaign calls on the public to play their part in protecting Ireland’s waterways. Such actions are essential in protecting the land around us from invasive species.
Find out more here: Check Clean Dry Watersports Advice Ireland (getwetni.com)