There are just 3 tickets left for our microscopy course on spiders with Dr Grant Brown. Grab your spot: nationalmuseumsni.digitickets.co.uk/event-ticket...

The DiveNI spotlight this month is the breadcrumb sponge! Common on NI shores, we have 1281 records of this sponge on our database, it can be tricky to identify as it comes in a number of forms. Very much alive, sponges are thought to be one of the oldest animal phyla on earth!

Hoverflies are under-recorded in NI. These pollinators are active even on colder & shadier days when you might not find any bees. Here's a list of the key ID features you need to contribute to our NI Hoverfly Recording Project, using iRecord or CEDaR Online Recording.

We were delighted to support @librariesni.bsky.social with the Big Summer Read in 3 Belfast libraries. Kids got hands on with objects from our collection, including aptly named “mermaid’s purses” & “witches’ broom”🧜🧙 Comment if you know any other magical common names for local wildlife!

The bank vole (Myodes glareolus) & field vole (Microtus agrestis) aren't native in NI. Their effects on our ecosystem are yet to be completely understood @QUBbioscience & @UlsterWildlife are gathering more info & welcome sightings of both species: www2.habitas.org.uk/records/voles

To close out July, we held our first Teen Nature Recorders Workshop. Mindful recording with the FIT count app, sweep netting, insect collecting, submitting records on iRecord & dissecting owl pellets 📲🌾🦉 @ulsterfolkmuseum.org

This #NationalMarineWeek we're proud to share the second edition of our 2020 publication, Marine Invasive Species in Northern Ireland, now with additional species pages & up to date maps. Check it out on the Dive NI website: dive-ni.org/wp-content/u...

Caught out 🎣 These 4 fish are lying to you about their names. #NationalMarineWeek #nifishrecordingproject

Yes! Jellyfish are cnidarians & all have stinging organelles (nematocysts). HOWEVER, many species are harmless to humans. Only some jellyfish stings cause us pain.

CEDaR@cedarrecordsni.bsky.social · 4w ago

Introducing Fun Fact Friday: we’re asking “Do all jellyfish sting?” 🪼Choose yes/no Answer on Monday!

Introducing Fun Fact Friday: we’re asking “Do all jellyfish sting?” 🪼Choose yes/no Answer on Monday!

Celebrate #nationalmarineweek with us by looking out for sea life. This month the Dive NI Species Spotlight is on jellyfish! Interested in all-things diving in Northern Ireland? Head over to our Dive NI website & Facebook page. dive-ni.org

In 2026, scientists are predicting a strong El Niño, the warming phase of the Pacific Ocean's ENSO climate cycle. This could mean stormier winter weather. Keep an eye out for our #StormWatch project, & as always, pay close attention to weather warnings! #nationalmarineweek

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2026-2030 launched this month & we at National Museums NI (of which CEDaR is part) are delighted to be strengthening our commitment as a Partner! We look forward to continuing to play our part, for more info head to: pollinators.ie

Kicking off #nationalmarineweek we received an unusual sighting - a sunfish. We have 33 records of Mola mola on our database. They swim in temperate oceans, following warm water & food (zooplankton & jellyfish). You’ll find them here in summer, when ocean temp reaches over 10*C.

Join Dr Grant Brown, Curator of Entomology at National Museums NI, for an engaging indoor microscopy session designed to build confidence in identifying these extraordinary arachnids🕷️ 🕸️Tickets at the link: nationalmuseumsni.digitickets.co.uk/event-ticket...

Buy Introduction to Spider Identification Tickets online - National Museums NI

View Introduction to Spider Identification from National Museums NI.

nationalmuseumsni.digitickets.co.uk

We receive records via the Big Butterfly Count! Get recording this summer 🦋

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies.bsky.social · last mo.

The Big Butterfly Count 2026 is here and butterflies need our help! 🦋 From now until 9 August, spend just 15 minutes outside counting the butterflies you see and help us take nature's pulse. The best part? Anyone, anywhere can take part. Count yourself in 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj

ID Footballer hoverflies (Helophilus pendulus) by their stripey jersey-like thoraxes. Don’t confuse with H.trivittatus/H.hybridus, see markings on the end of the abdomen. Found around puddles or ponds, or along roadsides & field margins, numbers peak in July. Let us know if you spot one!

So how do you know what fish you’ve caught? Check fins, lateral line, eye, mouth, shape Take a photo & #shareyourcatch on the iRecord app. Always try to take fish out of water as little as possible. www2.habitas.org.uk/records/angl...

1 of the most common hoverflies in NI, Marmalades are seen in gardens, hedges, parks & woods. They have a unique pattern: 2 dark bands separated by 2 orange bands. No.s rise in spring & peak in July. These flies hibernate so adults can appear on a sunny day at any time of year!

Grab your dive gear & read the DiveNI blog to find out how to get involved with the Great Shark Snapshot, 18-26 July 2026: dive-ni.org/the-great-sh...

Our bees & wasps training course at White Park Bay was a success! Thanks to all who came along & to Owen (NBDC) for leading the session & @nationaltrust.org.uk for hosting!

Still spaces for teens on this workshop:

CEDaR@cedarrecordsni.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Learn how to record wildlife & become a citizen scientist in this hands-on session for teenagers. Mobile phones are encouraged for a mindful recording session @ulsterfolkmuseum.org📲 We'll dissect owl pellets & identify the small mammals they’ve eaten🦉🐾 www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org/whats-on/tee...

For Invasive Species Week, in collaboration with @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social we hosted two recording workshops with citizen scientists in Cultra & Carrickfergus! Among the many native species recorded, were several invasive species, including those pictured. Submit INNS records on iRecord!

As the summer days stretch long into the evening, you can hear the hum of life all around us as butterflies float past & bees (& their copycats) buzz. Join us for our Summer Wildlife Walk at the @ulsterfolkmuseum & get hands on experience with iRecord! www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org/whats-on/wil...

Can a recording app tell you what that insect in your garden is? Short answer - yes! This insect week, get recording on iRecord - maybe you'll even learn something new! This photo is the larvae of the 7-spot ladybird🐞 Always check AI suggestions as they aren't always accurate. #insectweek

Invasive Species week update: We've produced "A Diver's guide to identifying and recording 10 of Northern Ireland's marine invasive species." with the Invasive Species NI team at NIEA. You'll find a link to the guide on the Dive NI website: dive-ni.org/wp-content/u... Get recording on iRecord!

#insectweek update: Early this month, training kickstarted the Invertebrate Condition Assessment of Murlough ASSI (@nationaltrust.org.uk). Part of a CEDaR & DAERA funded 6 year contract to assess all ASSI sites with invertebrate features, undertaken by Allen & Mellon Ltd. #standtallforthesmall

It's Invasive Species Week, but what does that actually mean? This week, take the time to learn about the invasive species that threaten our wildlife at the link: invasivespeciesni.co.uk/species-acco... As always, keep recording! #INNSweek

Learn how to use iRecord to submit wildlife records that support conservation, research and biodiversity monitoring. A practical introduction to biological recording, data quality, verification and species recording in the UK 🌎 🧪 Enrol here: 🔗 courses.biologicalrecording.co.uk/courses/iRec...

Biological Recording & iRecord Online Training UK

Learn biological recording and how to use iRecord to submit, verify, and share wildlife data. Gain practical skills in species recording, data quality, apps, and conservation impact with expert-led on...

courses.biologicalrecording.co.uk

Calling all anglers🎣 SHARE YOUR CATCH! Participate in the NI Fish Recording Project & tell us what you're finding in your local fishing spots! Share pictures of your catch on the iRecord app or our website: www2.habitas.org.uk/records/angl...