What is the 'almost extinct' bird found in Belfast?

The bird found in Belfast was a nightjar, a species considered extremely rare in Northern Ireland.

Why are nightjar numbers declining in Ireland?

Nightjar populations have diminished due to habitat loss and the use of pesticides, which impact their insect diet.

Where are nightjars typically found in the UK?

Nightjars are most commonly found in southern England during the summer months.

Home / Environment / Rare Nightjar Found Behind Bin in Belfast

Rare Nightjar Found Behind Bin in Belfast

11 Jan

•

Summary

An 'almost extinct' nightjar was discovered behind a bin in Belfast.
Wildlife rescuer Debbie Doolittle cared for the rare nocturnal bird.
Nightjar numbers have dramatically declined due to habitat loss.

Rare Nightjar Found Behind Bin in Belfast

A nightjar, a bird species now considered extremely rare in Northern Ireland, was recently discovered behind a bin on Belfast's Lisburn Road. Office staff alerted wildlife rescuer Debbie Doolittle, who identified the bird as a nightjar, a species with very few sightings in the region since the 1950s. Doolittle believes the nocturnal bird may have become disoriented by streetlights.

Doolittle took the nightjar to her rescue center near Antrim, where it was cared for with "lots of juicy bugs" and a habitat resembling its natural environment. She released the bird the following day, describing the experience as her "most special" rescue of 2025. Nightjars are typically found in southern England during summer months, and their presence so far north is highly unusual.

Conservation efforts highlight a dramatic decline in nightjar populations across Ireland, largely attributed to habitat loss and pesticide use. While a 2024 report suggested they were "effectively lost" from Ireland, a small number were later found in southeastern Ireland, considered their "last remaining stronghold." Researchers remain surprised by the Belfast sighting but acknowledge the species' elusive nature.