Conor McKinney
@wildlifeni.bsky.social
Wildlife conservationist based in Northern Ireland, working to give wild things and places a voice.
Founder of https://www.starlingecology.co.uk/ and http://www.wildbelfast.org.
Founder of https://www.starlingecology.co.uk/ and http://www.wildbelfast.org.
October 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Our #Belfast #NationalParkCity workshop is well underway.
Attendees are writing a postcard to themselves from 2050.
They've been asked:
1) What do you see?
2) What's changed locally?
3) Who's here, and what's their r'ship with nature?
4) How do you feel living here?
What would you say?
Attendees are writing a postcard to themselves from 2050.
They've been asked:
1) What do you see?
2) What's changed locally?
3) Who's here, and what's their r'ship with nature?
4) How do you feel living here?
What would you say?
October 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Our #Belfast #NationalParkCity workshop is well underway.
Attendees are writing a postcard to themselves from 2050.
They've been asked:
1) What do you see?
2) What's changed locally?
3) Who's here, and what's their r'ship with nature?
4) How do you feel living here?
What would you say?
Attendees are writing a postcard to themselves from 2050.
They've been asked:
1) What do you see?
2) What's changed locally?
3) Who's here, and what's their r'ship with nature?
4) How do you feel living here?
What would you say?
The conversation continues this week as we hear from local activists who will help steer us towards thinking "What if Belfast was a National Park City?"
Come along, it just might be the start of something extraordinary.
Register here: forms.gle/dAfCeSb3VaWT...
#NationalParkCity #Whatif
Come along, it just might be the start of something extraordinary.
Register here: forms.gle/dAfCeSb3VaWT...
#NationalParkCity #Whatif
October 19, 2025 at 11:56 AM
The conversation continues this week as we hear from local activists who will help steer us towards thinking "What if Belfast was a National Park City?"
Come along, it just might be the start of something extraordinary.
Register here: forms.gle/dAfCeSb3VaWT...
#NationalParkCity #Whatif
Come along, it just might be the start of something extraordinary.
Register here: forms.gle/dAfCeSb3VaWT...
#NationalParkCity #Whatif
This Robin has developed camouflage.
August 15, 2025 at 12:13 PM
This Robin has developed camouflage.
Typically a univoltine species (i.e one flight season April to June) in Northern Ireland the Holly Blue butterfly, a protected species, has developed a second flight season, likely due to our warming climate.
This one was seen outside its typically associated flight season in Garvagh yesterday.
This one was seen outside its typically associated flight season in Garvagh yesterday.
July 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Typically a univoltine species (i.e one flight season April to June) in Northern Ireland the Holly Blue butterfly, a protected species, has developed a second flight season, likely due to our warming climate.
This one was seen outside its typically associated flight season in Garvagh yesterday.
This one was seen outside its typically associated flight season in Garvagh yesterday.
Digitising our workshop on how we make Belfast a National Park City - outcomes en route!
Fab contributions so far:
- We're a confluence of past and future
- Make natural heritage last as long as built heritage
- Make gardens a public good
Get involved - email contact@wildbelfast.org.
Fab contributions so far:
- We're a confluence of past and future
- Make natural heritage last as long as built heritage
- Make gardens a public good
Get involved - email contact@wildbelfast.org.
July 2, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Digitising our workshop on how we make Belfast a National Park City - outcomes en route!
Fab contributions so far:
- We're a confluence of past and future
- Make natural heritage last as long as built heritage
- Make gardens a public good
Get involved - email contact@wildbelfast.org.
Fab contributions so far:
- We're a confluence of past and future
- Make natural heritage last as long as built heritage
- Make gardens a public good
Get involved - email contact@wildbelfast.org.
We're taking our exploration of #Belfast as a National Park City into one of Belfast's best loved meanwhile sites.
I'll be joined in discussion with our host Gawain as well as Perla from Sustrans and Lizzy from Belfast Hills to explore a National Park City, what to celebrate and how we can do more
I'll be joined in discussion with our host Gawain as well as Perla from Sustrans and Lizzy from Belfast Hills to explore a National Park City, what to celebrate and how we can do more
June 12, 2025 at 10:39 AM
We're taking our exploration of #Belfast as a National Park City into one of Belfast's best loved meanwhile sites.
I'll be joined in discussion with our host Gawain as well as Perla from Sustrans and Lizzy from Belfast Hills to explore a National Park City, what to celebrate and how we can do more
I'll be joined in discussion with our host Gawain as well as Perla from Sustrans and Lizzy from Belfast Hills to explore a National Park City, what to celebrate and how we can do more
Meadow restoration taking shape at PEC in Botanic Gardens.
These are what traditional grasslands would have looked, smelt and buzzed like.
Bravo to upsurge project, Belfast City Council and partners.
Let's see more of this 👏🦋🐝🐞
These are what traditional grasslands would have looked, smelt and buzzed like.
Bravo to upsurge project, Belfast City Council and partners.
Let's see more of this 👏🦋🐝🐞
June 8, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Meadow restoration taking shape at PEC in Botanic Gardens.
These are what traditional grasslands would have looked, smelt and buzzed like.
Bravo to upsurge project, Belfast City Council and partners.
Let's see more of this 👏🦋🐝🐞
These are what traditional grasslands would have looked, smelt and buzzed like.
Bravo to upsurge project, Belfast City Council and partners.
Let's see more of this 👏🦋🐝🐞
Enter our heroes from NI Fire and Rescue Service Belfast Central Station who popped in to lend a hand!
A huge thank you to our local heroes who are also playing an important role in Swift Conservation #worldswiftday.
You can hear (& see!) our living, singing mural on Bruce Street, Belfast.
A huge thank you to our local heroes who are also playing an important role in Swift Conservation #worldswiftday.
You can hear (& see!) our living, singing mural on Bruce Street, Belfast.
June 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Enter our heroes from NI Fire and Rescue Service Belfast Central Station who popped in to lend a hand!
A huge thank you to our local heroes who are also playing an important role in Swift Conservation #worldswiftday.
You can hear (& see!) our living, singing mural on Bruce Street, Belfast.
A huge thank you to our local heroes who are also playing an important role in Swift Conservation #worldswiftday.
You can hear (& see!) our living, singing mural on Bruce Street, Belfast.
It's #worldswiftday and I'd like to share a story with you about our swift mural.
Equipped with a solar powered caller to attract swifts to the nesting bricks, we had one issue - how to turn the caller on (>10m high) once the swifts arrived?
Equipped with a solar powered caller to attract swifts to the nesting bricks, we had one issue - how to turn the caller on (>10m high) once the swifts arrived?
June 7, 2025 at 12:52 PM
It's #worldswiftday and I'd like to share a story with you about our swift mural.
Equipped with a solar powered caller to attract swifts to the nesting bricks, we had one issue - how to turn the caller on (>10m high) once the swifts arrived?
Equipped with a solar powered caller to attract swifts to the nesting bricks, we had one issue - how to turn the caller on (>10m high) once the swifts arrived?
Join us at Queen's University on Tuesday 10th June from 10am for a discussion reflecting what if we treated Belfast like a National Park.
We'll hear from an array of experts and muse how Belfast can be better for us and biodiversity.
Register here:
lnkd.in/evrHtZGs
We'll hear from an array of experts and muse how Belfast can be better for us and biodiversity.
Register here:
lnkd.in/evrHtZGs
June 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Join us at Queen's University on Tuesday 10th June from 10am for a discussion reflecting what if we treated Belfast like a National Park.
We'll hear from an array of experts and muse how Belfast can be better for us and biodiversity.
Register here:
lnkd.in/evrHtZGs
We'll hear from an array of experts and muse how Belfast can be better for us and biodiversity.
Register here:
lnkd.in/evrHtZGs
Remember to register for the Planning at Queen's University Belfast and Wild Belfast conference asking "What if Belfast was a National Park City?"
E.g. what if schools and universities offered nature rich green infrastructure to encourage ecological awareness and an asset for communities?
E.g. what if schools and universities offered nature rich green infrastructure to encourage ecological awareness and an asset for communities?
May 27, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Remember to register for the Planning at Queen's University Belfast and Wild Belfast conference asking "What if Belfast was a National Park City?"
E.g. what if schools and universities offered nature rich green infrastructure to encourage ecological awareness and an asset for communities?
E.g. what if schools and universities offered nature rich green infrastructure to encourage ecological awareness and an asset for communities?
What if Belfast was a National Park City?
After last year's "Making Space for Nature' conference that's the question we'll be exploring in our next conference on the 10th June with Planning at Queen's University Belfast.
What if we had better access to green space?
After last year's "Making Space for Nature' conference that's the question we'll be exploring in our next conference on the 10th June with Planning at Queen's University Belfast.
What if we had better access to green space?
May 9, 2025 at 9:04 AM
What if Belfast was a National Park City?
After last year's "Making Space for Nature' conference that's the question we'll be exploring in our next conference on the 10th June with Planning at Queen's University Belfast.
What if we had better access to green space?
After last year's "Making Space for Nature' conference that's the question we'll be exploring in our next conference on the 10th June with Planning at Queen's University Belfast.
What if we had better access to green space?
Belfast is taking part again in the #CityNatureChallenge!
We want to put Belfast as high up the global league table and assert our position as a hot-spot for ecological recording.
Get involved - all you need is your phone and appropriate clothing
⏬🐝
www.inaturalist.org/projects/cit...
We want to put Belfast as high up the global league table and assert our position as a hot-spot for ecological recording.
Get involved - all you need is your phone and appropriate clothing
⏬🐝
www.inaturalist.org/projects/cit...
April 18, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Belfast is taking part again in the #CityNatureChallenge!
We want to put Belfast as high up the global league table and assert our position as a hot-spot for ecological recording.
Get involved - all you need is your phone and appropriate clothing
⏬🐝
www.inaturalist.org/projects/cit...
We want to put Belfast as high up the global league table and assert our position as a hot-spot for ecological recording.
Get involved - all you need is your phone and appropriate clothing
⏬🐝
www.inaturalist.org/projects/cit...
April 17, 2025 at 7:03 AM
An ecological baseline must inform any new infrastructure, or any new use of existing infrastructure. We should look to learn lessons from similar opening hours elsewhere.
Enhance the existing biodiversity value of our green spaces to offset operational disturbance.
Enhance the existing biodiversity value of our green spaces to offset operational disturbance.
April 16, 2025 at 8:49 PM
An ecological baseline must inform any new infrastructure, or any new use of existing infrastructure. We should look to learn lessons from similar opening hours elsewhere.
Enhance the existing biodiversity value of our green spaces to offset operational disturbance.
Enhance the existing biodiversity value of our green spaces to offset operational disturbance.
We have experienced the impact of light disturbance on Belfast species (eg starling murmuration). Artificial light at night (or ALAN) can have a chronic and pervasive effect on bats, birds and invertebrates. Lighting must be avoided and dark zones maintained where possible.
April 16, 2025 at 8:49 PM
We have experienced the impact of light disturbance on Belfast species (eg starling murmuration). Artificial light at night (or ALAN) can have a chronic and pervasive effect on bats, birds and invertebrates. Lighting must be avoided and dark zones maintained where possible.
We've submitted our consultation for the extension of opening hours (with most of the heavy lifting done by the fab Erin Mckeown).
In principle Belfast City Council have our support, we can't expect people to care for nature if they can't access nature.
But here's what we're calling for:
In principle Belfast City Council have our support, we can't expect people to care for nature if they can't access nature.
But here's what we're calling for:
April 16, 2025 at 8:49 PM
We've submitted our consultation for the extension of opening hours (with most of the heavy lifting done by the fab Erin Mckeown).
In principle Belfast City Council have our support, we can't expect people to care for nature if they can't access nature.
But here's what we're calling for:
In principle Belfast City Council have our support, we can't expect people to care for nature if they can't access nature.
But here's what we're calling for:
Talking about the importance of our urban green spaces today with the BBC.
These spaces are the foundations of our urban biosphere. We must manage them better for biodiversity.
We aspire to manage 30% of the planet for biodiversity by 2030 but where is the ambition to renature our public estate?
These spaces are the foundations of our urban biosphere. We must manage them better for biodiversity.
We aspire to manage 30% of the planet for biodiversity by 2030 but where is the ambition to renature our public estate?
April 12, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Talking about the importance of our urban green spaces today with the BBC.
These spaces are the foundations of our urban biosphere. We must manage them better for biodiversity.
We aspire to manage 30% of the planet for biodiversity by 2030 but where is the ambition to renature our public estate?
These spaces are the foundations of our urban biosphere. We must manage them better for biodiversity.
We aspire to manage 30% of the planet for biodiversity by 2030 but where is the ambition to renature our public estate?
YELLOW RATTLE!!!!
First year in new urban house and this is a fine sign that the l(y)awn is diversifying. Tense next couple of weeks to see if more establishes 🤞
First year in new urban house and this is a fine sign that the l(y)awn is diversifying. Tense next couple of weeks to see if more establishes 🤞
April 11, 2025 at 6:43 PM
YELLOW RATTLE!!!!
First year in new urban house and this is a fine sign that the l(y)awn is diversifying. Tense next couple of weeks to see if more establishes 🤞
First year in new urban house and this is a fine sign that the l(y)awn is diversifying. Tense next couple of weeks to see if more establishes 🤞
Those eyes are on the prize!
Prize being a wet summer and some poor pipits lineage.
Prize being a wet summer and some poor pipits lineage.
March 14, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Those eyes are on the prize!
Prize being a wet summer and some poor pipits lineage.
Prize being a wet summer and some poor pipits lineage.
Hiya folks! We are organising a campaign to win £5k for Wild Belfast.
£5k would be a huge deal for us - in 5 seconds you could help us pay for our core costs for *5 years*.
Can you nominate us (see link below - closing date 23rd Feb).
Thank you ❤️💙💚
animal.movementforgood.com/index.php?cn...
£5k would be a huge deal for us - in 5 seconds you could help us pay for our core costs for *5 years*.
Can you nominate us (see link below - closing date 23rd Feb).
Thank you ❤️💙💚
animal.movementforgood.com/index.php?cn...
February 17, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Hiya folks! We are organising a campaign to win £5k for Wild Belfast.
£5k would be a huge deal for us - in 5 seconds you could help us pay for our core costs for *5 years*.
Can you nominate us (see link below - closing date 23rd Feb).
Thank you ❤️💙💚
animal.movementforgood.com/index.php?cn...
£5k would be a huge deal for us - in 5 seconds you could help us pay for our core costs for *5 years*.
Can you nominate us (see link below - closing date 23rd Feb).
Thank you ❤️💙💚
animal.movementforgood.com/index.php?cn...
Join us on the 16 February in Victoria Park to learn about the wintering birds there! Book a free ticket at www.wildbelfast.org/events-1/win...
February 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Join us on the 16 February in Victoria Park to learn about the wintering birds there! Book a free ticket at www.wildbelfast.org/events-1/win...
On the Lagan with @barrabest.bsky.social today telling the story of the return of Belfast's starling murmuration at Albert Bridge.
You'll see more of us on Barra’s Return of the Wild.
You'll see more of us on Barra’s Return of the Wild.
February 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
On the Lagan with @barrabest.bsky.social today telling the story of the return of Belfast's starling murmuration at Albert Bridge.
You'll see more of us on Barra’s Return of the Wild.
You'll see more of us on Barra’s Return of the Wild.