WITH winter just around the corner, flock keepers in Fermanagh are being urged to prepare for the increasing threat of bird flu. The warning comes after a case of the disease, officially known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N5, was confirmed in Yorkshire at the start of November. It was the first detection in the UK since […]
Number of curlew chicks hits new heights on Lower Lough
BREEDING results for the curlew this season have seen a huge turnaround locally, with a record number of chicks fledged for the endangered species. Once facing the threat of extinction, this species is now on the path to recovery, thanks to the Curlew LIFE project and the work of dedicated RSPB NI staff and local […]
White-tail eagles breed for first time in 150 years
FERMANAGH is continuing to cement its reputation as a bird-of-prey breeding ground, with a pair of white-tailed eagles in the county becoming the first couple to successfully breed in the North in over 150 years. The RSPB made the happy announcement at the weekend. The native birds had been reintroduced to Ireland by the Golden […]
Celebrations as curlew fledge on the Erne
THE Lough Erne RSPB team has been celebrating the return of the curlew to local lands, where the once-familiar call can now be heard once again. While the curlew had returned to nest on Trasna Island on the lower lough, thanks to the work of the RSPB NI over the last five years, last week said it […]
Golden swallows take flight in Enniskillen
CHILDREN around the world have grown up hearing Oscar Wilde’s famous fairytale of the statue of a prince that enlists the help of the swallows living at his feet to provide aid to the people of the town he overlooks. Wilde was inspired to write The Happy Prince during his time at Portora school in Enniskillen, where his dormitory […]
Avian flu is a major threat to rural farming
FARMERS in Fermanagh have been left in fear that a rapidly spreading avian flu could be transferred to animals and cattle in the North. For almost 30 years, avian flu has posed a major threat to rural farming and fears are mounting after the deadly and potentially fatal H5N1 strain has been detected in cattle […]
Time for Rory to celebrate with the ‘pigeon dance’
ON another day to forget for Fermanagh, it was at least great to see Derry manager, our own Rory Gallagher, enjoying himself so much on the sideline as each of his team’s goals went in. In fact, the ex-Fermanagh boss celebrated the third goal so wildly that for the rest of the match, members of St John’s […]