Breeding Waders EIP Project

01/06/2026

Hello Everyone,
We have had to draw another winner for our Birdwatching trip on Lough Ree.
Congratulations to Laoise Ni Chléirigh.
We look forwarding to welcoming Laoise and friends to see some wonderful Waders.

29/05/2026

WINNER, WINNER
Delighted to announce that Sarah Nolan is the winner of our birdwatching trip on Lough Ree.
Get in touch Sarah and we'll start organising a time and date that suits.

National Parks and Wildlife Service Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Owen Murphy Sarah Nolan

28/05/2026

What does a Breeding Waders EIP Project curlew chick's first 24 hours at Fota look like? Our Ranger Luke shows us how the team take care of the freshly hatched chicks.

We will be rearing the chicks until they’re strong enough to be released back into the wild population, giving them a significantly higher chance of survival during the most vulnerable period of their lives.
This process is only used in emergency situations, which, unfortunately, these birds are currently facing.
Be sure to follow along ourselves, the Breeding Waders EIP Project and Dublin Zoo for more updates this project!

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Irish Rural Link National Parks and Wildlife Service CAP Network Ireland UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science Atlantic Technological University

26/05/2026

🌿Biodiversity Week 2026🌿
That’s a wrap on another fantastic Biodiversity Week!
Our team were out in force over the past week, delivering talks, workshops, and field
trips to celebrate and showcase the importance of biodiversity.
📍 Donegal
On Monday, May 18th, our Donegal Project Manager Alena, in collaboration with The Rivers Trust National Parks and Wildlife Service National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) hosted a nature walk for a local primary school. The
group visited Inch Wildfowl Reserve to explore and observe its rich biodiversity.
📍Birr
Our Lead Ecologist Andrea and Shannon Callows Project Officer Annie, delivered a talk at Birr Equestrian Centre, focusing on breeding waders and biodiversity.
📍Athlone
On Tuesday, May 19th, and Thursday May 21st Project Officers Daniel and Annie
presented to students at Athlone Community College as part of the schools biodiversity week celebrations.
📍 Lough Ree
Senior Project Manager Owen Murphy spoke to members of the Lough Ree Men’s Shed
about the rich biodiversity in Lough Ree, how it was achieved and is being maintained.
📍 Sheskinmore
On Friday, May 22nd, Alena teamed up with NPWS once again to host a field trip to
Sheskinmore Nature Reserve.

If you missed us last week, there’s still more to come 👇
👉 Our Munster Project Officer Sarah will be speaking at the Limerick Biodiversity
Festival this Friday.

🎉And don’t forget — there’s still time to enter our “Lunch on the Lake” competition!
The winner will be chosen and announced tomorrow, so be sure to get commenting and sharing.



Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Irish Rural Link CAP Network Ireland UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science Dublin Zoo Atlantic Technological University Fota Wildlife Park Michael Martyn Agri-Environment

25/05/2026

Have a Listen,
Inchbofin, Lough Ree is what a healthy, functioning breeding waterbirds site sounds like.
It is alive with sounds of birds and insects.
This is not a fluke.
- >15 years of seasonal Nest Protection and Predation Risk Management funded by the Midland's Region of the National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Mike Connell farming the island without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, while being conscious of the presence of ground-nesting birds when managing his stock and machinery operations.
- Breeding Waders EIP Project funding the island's Wader Action Plan (land management agreement), delivering habitat restoration and increasing public awareness.
- ongoing data collection and surveying delivered as a collaboration between Midland’s Region, NPWS and the EIP.

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Midlands Mink Eradication National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC)

22/05/2026

First chicks from this year's headstarting season at Fota Wildlife Park have hatched!
Part of the Breeding Waders EIP Project these are the first chicks hatched in the Wildlife Park this year, but with lots of eggs still being incubated we're expecting more soon.

We will be rearing the chicks until they’re strong enough to be released. Once they reach the fledgling stage, the young birds are returned back into the wild population, giving them a significantly higher chance of survival during the most vulnerable period of their lives. This process is only used in emergency situations, which, unfortunately, these birds are currently facing.

Be sure to follow along ourselves, the Breeding Waders EIP Project and Dublin Zoo for lots more updates this headstarting season!


Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Irish Rural Link National Parks and Wildlife Service CAP Network Ireland UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science Atlantic Technological University Michael Martyn Agri-Environment

21/05/2026

🌿Calling all bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts!

To celebrate Biodiversity Week, we’re offering a fantastic opportunity to join our Senior Project Manager and resident bird expert Owen Murphy for a hosted trip on beautiful Lough Ree.

Find out how you could be selected by watching the video below 👇



Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Irish Rural Link National Parks and Wildlife Service CAP Network Ireland UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science Dublin Zoo Atlantic Technological University Fota Wildlife Park Michael Martyn Agri-Environment

20/05/2026

Lovely event being organised by Sliabh Beagh Curlew Conservation Trust. One for the diary if you are in the area.

🌿 YOU’RE INVITED! 🌿

Sliabh Beagh remains one of the last important strongholds for breeding curlew in Ireland, a landscape where these iconic birds still return each spring to nest and raise young. Their haunting call has long been part of the character and heritage of these uplands, but curlew populations have declined dramatically across Ireland in recent decades.

This open day is about celebrating that connection between wildlife, landscape, and community, while also raising awareness of the work being done locally to help protect these vulnerable birds and the habitats they depend on.

Join us on Sunday, 31st May (11am–1pm) for a relaxed, family-friendly morning on Sliabh Beagh. 💚

🐦 Learn about curlews and the conservation work helping protect them
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids activities and nature-themed fun
☕ Tea, coffee, chat and community
🥾 Guided walks and opportunities to explore Sliabh Beagh
🤝 Meet local people involved in conservation and habitat protection

Curlew are still here on Sliabh Beagh - let’s keep them that way!

Huge thanks to our colleagues and supporters, including Breeding Waders EIP Project RSPB, PeacePlus Nature and everyone working to protect our uplands for future generations.

📍 Carnmore View Point, Corranny.
🕚 Sunday 31st May | 11:00am–1:00pm

Please feel free to share and help spread the word! 🌿