BirdWatch Ireland

02/09/2026

September is a time of transition, for us and our birds 🍂

Many migrating species we see right now in September are not “local” and have originated from further north and are just passing through, like the Little Stint.

At first glance, Little Stints resemble a miniature Sanderling, with pure white underside and rusty upperpart tones, but the small size and rather agitated feeding action are the best clues to pick it out “amongst the crowd.”

Like most migrants which stray a little off course, the Little Stints that pitch down in this country are usually juveniles – ones just a few months old that have never done the journey before. Most adults take more of a direct route from their breeding grounds in the High Arctic to their wintering location in Africa.

Numbers peak in Ireland in September and, with few being recorded outside this month, the Little Stint can claim to be a true passage migrant – that is, neither a winter nor a summer visitor.

📸 Alyn Walsh

01/09/2026

Today is the day. Today the Irish Government will submit its Nature Restoration Plan to the European Commission. This plan is part of the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation, which aims to restore at least 20% of EU land and sea habitats by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050.

Earlier this year, we launched a detailed report which identified a plan to restore habitats for threatened bird species in Ireland. Over the weekend, we highlighted four different habitats that our plan covers: moorlands, lake and turloughs, estuaries and tidal areas, and wet grassland and fens. In addition to these habitats, our analysis includes and restoration recommendations for seabirds, farmlands and urban areas.

We have done the research. Now, we’ll see if our scientific findings are included for Ireland’s future.

30/08/2026

In another habitat highlight for our plan to restore habitats for birds, we have wet grasslands and fens.🌱💧

Wet grasslands and fens don’t just support wading birds (like the Curlew, Lapwing, and Snipe), they are also home to a variety of grasses, wildflowers, amphibians, insects and more!

In our research, floodplain callows, including those on the Shannon and the Little Brosna rivers in the Midlands, have come out as top sites for restoration of both breeding and wintering birds associated with the wet grassland and fen habitats. Learn more about wet grassland and fen habitats, the species that rely on them, and our proposed restoration measures: https://birdwatchireland.ie/nature-restoration/

30/08/2026

Next on our habitat highlight, we have estuaries and intertidal areas!

These habitats are vital for Ireland’s winter migratory birds, as these areas provide food and place to rest—but they are important for humans, too. Estuaries and intertidal zones offer a buffer between land and sea, protecting our communities.

In our research, we identified eight estuaries where habitat creation would be beneficial for people and for the wild bird species. Learn more about estuaries and intertidal areas, the species that rely on them, and our proposed restoration measures: https://birdwatchireland.ie/nature-restoration/

29/08/2026

The next habitat highlight from our plan to restore habitats for birds is lakes and turloughs. 🪿🦆

Lake and turlough habitats are important for ducks, divers, geese and swans, also collectively known as waterbirds. They form an important wetland habitat stretching across Ireland that provides vital winter refuges for our internationally significant populations of wintering waterbirds. In summer, they provide essential breeding habitats for many resident species and some migratory, like the Red-Throated Diver.

Learn more about lakes and turloughs, the species that rely on them, and our proposed restoration measures: https://birdwatchireland.ie/nature-restoration/

29/08/2026

The first habitat highlighted in our plan to restore habitats for birds is moorland. We have identified 457km2 of moorland habitat where restoration would most benefit threatened bird species. Out of all the habitats included in our report, moorland has the most land in public ownership (84km2) where restoration measures could more easily be targeted.

The long tradition of human influence in the uplands has meant that the plants and animals that live there have evolved alongside the activities of people for thousands of years. But now, accelerated changes and activities have reduced the quantity and quality of habitats available to birds.

Learn more about moorlands, the species that rely on them, and our proposed restoration measures in our report: https://birdwatchireland.ie/nature-restoration/

28/08/2026

Next week on 1 September, the Government will submit their Nature Restoration Plan to the European Commission. These plans outline the future of Ireland’s nature and wildlife.

Earlier this summer, we released a detailed report which identified a plan to restore habitats for threatened bird species in Ireland—providing the Government a clear path on where to focus restoration efforts for Ireland’s habitats for birds. We hope that our findings were considered and included in their Nature Restoration Plan, for the sake of Ireland’s wildlife and human communities. Stay tuned over the next couple of days as we highlight the habitats we have identified in our report.

Read our report or our summary report today: https://birdwatchireland.ie/nature-restoration/

28/08/2026

Every year, Brent geese make epic journeys from the High Arctic to our shores. By the end of their life, they will have travelled enough kilometers to fly around the World 4 times! We are expecting the first birds to appear in Ireland any day now.

Brent geese are extraordinary creatures. Even their name has a fascinating backstory (it’s old Norse for ‘burnt’!). Thanks to our partners Dublin City Council and Dublin Bay Biosphere, we’ve brought their story to life. Learn all about Ireland’s smallest goose with our new story map: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d86801b426f243069413f70c0252d848

27/08/2026

At last night's AGM meeting, we were able to share our 2025 Annual Report 🎉

Thank you to those who attended. We are so happy to share our 2025 highlights and accomplishments with you all. From identifying Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Ireland to ringing and surveying a variety of species, 2025 was a busy year.

Download and read our 2025 Annual Report now:

The 2025 Annual Report of BirdWatch Ireland, which is Ireland's largest and most active conservation charity.

26/08/2026

The Swift season is exactly that – swift! This feels especially true for our three amazing Swift Surveyors, who spent the summer documenting its nest sites. With the season coming to an end, they've shared some parting thoughts and their favorite parts of the surveying.

Read what they had to say: https://birdwatchireland.ie/swift-surveyor-signoffs/

A massive thanks to Wexford County Council, Donegal County Council and South Dublin County Council, respectively, for commissioning and supporting this work. These surveys would not get off the ground without support from Biodiversity and Heritage Officers across the country and we are tremendously grateful to them for funding these projects through the National Parks and Wildlife Services Local Biodiversity Action Fund.

📸 Richard T. Mills