Hi °C | Lo °C 
Eagle-eyed snapper bags rarest of our birds
Scores of bird-watchers descended on Donegal last week after news spread of only the second sighting of a bittern since it became extinct in Ireland more than 150 years ago.
Walk of the Week: The Mourne Way
The Mournes are a wonderfully compact range of mountains crowned by Ulster's highest summit, Slieve Donard.
Bird swaps savannahs of Africa... for Donegal
A rare bird usually found on the backs of herd animals in the savannahs of Africa has arrived in Co Donegal because of the mild weather.
Fear of 'catastrophic' sea-level rise as ice sheets melt faster than predicted
Glaciologists fear they may have seriously underestimated the potential for melting ice sheets to contribute to catastrophic sea-level rises in coming decades which could see increases of a metre or more by 2100.
Prince Charles speaks out on climate change
The Prince of Wales has spoken about how the prospect of becoming a grandfather is spurring his environmental beliefs, saying he does not want to "hand on an increasingly dysfunctional world".
'Draconian' councils... the dog owner's latest pet hate
It's war on dogs — at least, that’s the fear of hundreds of dogs owners who believe new control measures are “Draconian” and will cause suffering to their pets.
In dark and wintry Belfast, a haven of fiery tropical colour lifts the gloom of a January day...
There may be doom on the high street and a forecast full of rain, but visitors to Botanic Gardens will find a colourful piece of paradise right on their doorsteps.
Banba the basking shark's amazing 3,000-mile journey leaves experts open-mouthed
An incredible 3,000-mile journey by a basking shark has forced scientists to rethink their theories on the rare species.
In Video: Animal battles – when nature gets nasty
The predictably great opening episode of the BBC’s new Africa series featured a breathtaking giraffe-off and one of the most spectacular fights committed to film.
Laura buzzing after snapping up top photography prize
A bee hovers over a foxglove wild flower in full bloom in the glinting sunlight.
Walk of the Week: Drumlamph Wood
Sitting quietly to the east of the Sperrins, Drumlamph Wood lies just on the outskirts of Maghera.
Minister steps in to grant threatened beech reprieve
The oldest street tree in Belfast has won another stay of execution.
Wildlife on fringes of Belfast to be studied
The Belfast Hills Partnership is undertaking an audit of land around the Belfast Hills to study numbers of wildlife living on the urban fringe and is asking for help to set up the database.
Compliance with laws on sewage welcomed
Compliance with legislation on treating sewage continues to improve — but more work has to be done, Stormont’s Environment Minister has said.
Cod quota rules force fishermen to dump prime fish
Northern Ireland fishermen say the number of cod in our waters has risen noticeably — yet they still face strict quotas on how many they can catch.
Walk of the Week: Prehen Wood
The Woodland Trust’s Prehen Wood is one of Northern Ireland’s rare and irreplaceable ancient woods.
In Pictures: Rare black swan makes an appearance in Belfast
There hasn't been this much talk about a black swan since Mila Kunis did a love scene with Natalie Portman in Darren Aronofsky's 2010 psychological thriller.
If Bushmills Dunes golf resort is allowed 'then nowhere is safe’
If the Bushmills Dunes golf resort goes ahead, it will send out a message that nowhere in Northern Ireland is safe from development, no matter how special or protected.
Restoration of gardens’ once-famous hothouses may end up a cut-price calamity
Efforts by Forest Service to restore listed glasshouses in Castlewellan that have fallen into disrepair could end up being a “botch job” that could threaten their future.
Black beauty goes swanning around Belfast
They used to be considered mythical creatures — until explorers to the Antipodes sent back reports of genuine black swans.
Madeleine McCann: New suspects identified by UK police
North West 200: Live pictures plus race schedule
In Pictures: Balmoral Show
Nice-but-dull Kate's annoying baby bump pose
FHM's sexiest women - Kunis knocks Tulisa off her perch
Latest News
Scores hurt as car hits US parade
Up to 60 people were injured when a driver described by witnesses as an elderly man drove his car into a group of hikers marching in a parade in a small Virginia mountain town.
Pakistan politician gunned down
Gunmen on a motorcycle have shot and killed a senior member of a leading Pakistani political party.
Activists attack PM on gay marriage
Tory activists have attacked David Cameron's support for gay marriage, claiming it had made winning the next general election "virtually impossible".
Latest Sport
Clichy signs new City deal new
Gael Clichy has signed a new four-year deal at Manchester City.
Doyle downs hat-trick in Carlow success
Substitute Craig Doyle came off the bench to fire in a spectacular hat-trick as Carlow powered to a 4-17 to 2-13 victory over London in the Leinster SHC at Dr Cullen Park.
Jones to pay for damaging Whelan's car
Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones has apologised to team-mate Glenn Whelan after smashing his car windscreen in a mistaken act of retribution for a training-ground prank which went wrong.
Latest Showbiz
No driving seat for Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel has revealed he has no plans to step into the director's chair in the near future.
DiCaprio: I'm comfortable with fame
Leonardo DiCaprio has revealed he doesn't mind living his life in the public eye.
Tobey sober unlike Gatsby character
Tobey Maguire has revealed his Great Gatsby character was very different to him as he has been sober since the age of 19.
