#MarineWildlife - Lack of food has seen a severe decline in migrating birds visiting Lough Neagh for the winter, according to UTV News.
Researchers from Queen's University Belfast have noted a shocking 75% drop in numbers of visiting water fowl on Ireland's largest lough - from some 100,000 to fewer than 21,000 in the span of 10 years.
And the finger of blame is being pointed at a change in the lough's ecosystem that has seen a significant fall-off in the Special Protection Area's main food source of insects and snails.
Ironically, the reason for this may be a stemming of agricultural run-off into the lough, the extra nutrients from which "artificially boosted its productivity", according to Dr Irena Tománková from Quercus, Northern Ireland's Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science.
In addition, climate change has seen lakes in Northern Europe that were once frozen over in winter become available for feeding for more of the year, meaning that once migratory birds are staying put.
UTV News has more on the story HERE.