Big River Watch: Exploring river wildlife with citizen science
As we near the end of our 2025 Spring Big River Watch, Barry McLaughlin, a Project Manager at The Rivers Trust, reflects on why this initiative matters. He also shares some of the wildlife captured by trail cameras in the Republic of Ireland during last year’s Big River Watch, highlighting the variety of species that visit our waterways.
30/04/25
Rivers and wetlands are the lifeblood of our landscapes, supporting diverse wildlife and providing essential ecosystem services. The Republic of Ireland has over 70,000km of waterways, with wetlands accounting for 20% of the country. Yet human induced impacts such as climate change and pollution pose serious threats to these amazing ecosystems. This is what makes The Big River Watch so important – empowering people to take an active role in monitoring and protecting their local rivers and wetlands, providing valuable data that can shape conservation efforts.
Inch Wildfowl Reserve & Citizen Science | Sparking an environmental Career
I grew up on Inch, a small rural island along the Donegal coast, home to Ireland’s largest wildfowl reserve—Inch Wildfowl Reserve. I spent my childhood exploring the great outdoors where adventures turned the outdoors into my classroom. My childhood was spent exploring the great outdoors, where adventures turned nature into my classroom. I have fond memories of rustling through reeds in camo gear with binoculars, searching for a smew or bittern, wading knee-deep in bogs to find frogs and newts, or fishing along the riverbanks with my dad. Every moment spent near wetlands deepened my appreciation for wildlife and conservation.
Over the years, I engaged in countless citizen science and conservation surveys in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the British Trust for Ornithology. Participating in projects like The Big River Watch allowed me to give back to the natural world while also building the foundation for a career in the environmental sector. Over the past decade, I’ve earned a BSc in Environmental Sciences, received a scholarship for a Master’s in Environment and Water Engineering in California, and worked on projects such as the Irish Grey Partridge Reintroduction with the NPWS, bird ringing with the BTO, and wolf reintroduction and remote sensing with NASA and the US National Parks Service in Yellowstone. I’ve also worked in Brussels on sustainability initiatives with the European Innovation Council, co-founded an NGO called Earth Action Hub, and most recently joined The Rivers Trust to work on BUFFER+ an EU-funded peatland restoration project focused on carbon and water conservation, funded by Interreg North-West Europe. Learn more about the BUFFER+ project: Interreg NWE BUFFER+ Project | The Rivers Trust
Participating in The Big River Watch and other citizen science projects encourages people to observe and learn from their rivers and wildlife. It’s an opportunity to meet friends, discover new interests, relax, practice mindfulness, and contribute to vital conservation efforts. For some, it can even spark a lifelong passion or career like me.
The Big River Watch 2024
Last year, I participated in The Big River Watch around Inch Lake and its surrounding rivers and wetlands—except I took a slightly different approach. Instead of traditional observation, I used trail cameras to capture the rich ecosystem in action, revealing the hidden world along the water’s edge.
What the Camera Revealed
Over several days, my trail camera recorded a fascinating array of wildlife. One camera was placed in a small wetland created by local farmer Boyd Bryce. Despite being just 0.5 km long and impacted by upstream pollution, Boyd’s conservation efforts (buffer zones and wetland creation) have transformed this stream into a thriving habitat. The presence of otters, kingfishers, little egrets, and breeding waders - all within such a small area - speaks to his success.
Boyd is widely recognized for his nature-friendly farming practices, you can watch here more about Boyd and Strahack Farm here and see more Trail Camera footage of wildlife on his farm here. So far, I’ve recorded footage of over 15 species using the stream, including mink, ducks, water rails, foxes, little egrets, kingfishers, otters, and corvids - all interacting with the wetland in different ways. Here is a selection of the captures:
Inch Lake: Over several days, my trail camera also recorded a fascinating array of wildlife on Inch Lake, including birds of prey species such as a peregrine falcon, merlin, and white-tailed sea eagle.
Trail cameras
Trail Cameras are an excellent tool for wildlife observation, especially in areas where human presence might disturb natural behaviour. Placing a camera along wetlands for round-the-clock monitoring, capturing images and videos of species that might otherwise go unnoticed. By participating in the Big River Watch, I’ve gained a deeper insight into the interconnectedness of ecosystems. Trail camera footage not only serves as a tool for observation but also raises awareness of the importance of conservation. The data collected contributes to broader efforts in protecting our rivers, ensuring they remain thriving habitats for future generations.
If you would like to see more of Barry’s footage, see his Instagram account @barrymclaughlin_wildlife
Get Involved in The Big River Watch
Whether through direct observation, photography, or trail cameras, anyone can contribute to monitoring their local rivers. The more eyes on our waterways, the better we can protect them. Join the Big River Watch and become a steward of your environment—every piece of data counts in the fight for healthier rivers! Big River Watch runs twice a year, once in Spring and once in Autumn, find our more and explore the data: The Big River Watch | The Rivers Trust
Getting involved with Trail Cameras:
If you’re interested in using trail cameras for wildlife monitoring, here are some key considerations: Permissions & Protected Areas – Always ensure you have the necessary permissions to operate a Trail Camera in the area you intend (licences may be required in private land), especially in protected areas, and follow legal guidelines regarding species monitoring (especially during the breeding season). Choosing the Right Equipment – NatureSpy, a conservation social enterprise, is both a research organization and a wildlife tech hub. Their model reinvests profits into conservation efforts. Recommended Camera – The Camera Barry’ uses: The Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 builds on the hugely popular HP4. If you're seeking high-quality video footage day and night, this camera is the ideal choice, as it offers the best quality of any available trail camera.