Practical Reserve Work (Blue Circle Island - Saturday 31st October)
Available from 31 October 2026
Like many of our seabirds, Northern Ireland's terns are facing increasing challenges from habitat loss, disturbance, climate change and invasive predators. The RSPB, in partnership with the Coastal Monitoring and Adaptation Planning (CMAP) project funded through PEACEPLUS, is working to protect these remarkable birds and restore breeding habitat on Blue Circle Island. We're looking for volunteers to join us for a day's practical conservation work!
A Unique Volunteering Experience
Join our small, friendly team for a rewarding day of hands-on conservation on Blue Circle Island. This is a one-off event with no ongoing commitment required. Whether you're completely new to volunteering or looking to gain practical conservation experience, this is a fantastic opportunity to get involved, meet like-minded people and contribute directly to the future of Larne Lough's internationally important seabirds.
If you enjoy the day and would like to get more involved, you'll also have the chance to learn about our longer-term volunteering opportunities in and around Larne Lough and Carlingford Lough. It's a great way to become familiar with the practical conservation work involved and explore ways to continue supporting terns and other coastal wildlife.
What will we be doing?
Terns prefer open ground with sparse vegetation, which helps them spot predators while nesting. Over time, areas of the island can become overgrown and less suitable for breeding birds. We'll be cutting and clearing vegetation around the edges of the island to help restore nesting habitat for Common and Roseate Terns ahead of next year's breeding season.
What to expect
We'll meet at Blue Circle Cruising & Sailing Club in Larne at 11:00 before taking a short boat trip to the island, weather and sea conditions permitting. The session will finish around 15:30. For anyone travelling from Belfast, lifts can be provided from Belfast's Window on Wildlife (WoW). The island's shoreline is rocky and uneven, so please dress appropriately for both the terrain and the weather forecast. As access to the island is dependent on suitable conditions, the event may need to be cancelled at short notice.
Important Information
• Participants should be comfortable travelling on water and working on uneven ground.
• The day involves a reasonable amount of physical activity and outdoor work.
• Travel to and from the island is by small boat.
• Volunteers must be aged 18 or over.
Be part of the Tern around and join us to help create a better future for some of Northern Ireland's most iconic seabirds!
The CMAP project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).