Breeding Waders EIP Project

16/10/2026

Heading to the Kildare Biodiversity Conference on Saturday, 17 October?

Make sure to visit our stand and say hello!

Elena from the GIS Unit will be on hand to chat about all things Breeding Waders EIP, including our new "Report a Sighting" feature.



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 Kildare Wildlife Rescue

12/10/2026

📺 Tune in tonight!

If you've been following the Breeding Waders EIP Project for a while, you'll already be familiar with our Curlew conservation work, including the headstarting programme, the importation of eggs from the Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group in the UK, and the
significant work undertaken to help bolster breeding wader populations across
Ireland.

"The Zoo" series is a fantastic opportunity to see that work brought to life. We are
delighted that our project partner Dublin Zoo has helped shine a spotlight on Curlew
conservation through the series, allowing filming of their purpose-built hatchery
where these precious Curlew chicks were hatched and reared this year.

Throughout the season, you'll get an insight into the dedication, collaboration and passion driving this work, and you'll spot some familiar faces from the Breeding Waders EIP team, our colleagues in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and our
project partners at Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park.

The series highlights the collaborative effort involved in protecting one of Ireland's
most iconic and threatened birds, the Curlew, and demonstrates the importance of partnerships in securing a future for breeding waders.

📺 The Zoo - Season 13
🗓 Starts tonight
🕖 8.00pm on RTÉ One
▶️ Available afterwards on RTÉ Player

As the series progresses, we'll be sharing weekly reminders and updates on our social media channels so you don't miss the episodes featuring the Breeding Waders EIP project and our partners.

We hope you'll tune in and follow the story of Curlew conservation as it unfolds
throughout the series.🤞



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

09/10/2026

A great day out at the Paludi Fair in Mayo yesterday! Thanks to The Rivers Trust and the South Kerry Development Partnership CLG for bringing everyone together. We had
lots of interesting conversations about our project, met the enthusiastic students of
Killasser National School, and caught up with several partners involved in the Interreg NWE BUFFER+ 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 Dublin Zoo Atlantic Technological University Fota Wildlife Park Michael Martyn Agri-Environment

08/10/2026

EU Delegation Visits Cooldross to See Conservation in Action 🔭

The weather was on our side yesterday as we welcomed representatives from 27 EU
Member States to the beautiful Cooldross.

The NPWS has actively managed this site for many years, creating an exceptional habitat for breeding waders and wintering birds. During the visit, our NPWS colleagues Jason, Myles and Wesley highlighted the conservation measures undertaken to date, while Donal and Karen from the Breeding Waders EIP team shared insights into the extensive work being delivered across our project work packages. They also emphasised the vital role that collaborative conservation play in achieving successful conservation outcomes.

Cooldross is just one of many wonderful examples of how the EIP can provide additional resources and support to sites and projects, helping to maximise landscape conservation impact and delivery.

The visit was organised by CAP Network Ireland, we would like to sincerely thank them for the opportunity to showcase this important work to a wider European audience.

Although bird activity on the water was relatively quiet, we were delighted to spot
Lapwing, Curlew and several Whooper Swans, giving visitors a glimpse of some of the species that benefit from this important habitat.



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

25/09/2026

🐦International Wader Study Group Conference 2026

Earlier this month members of the Breeding Waders EIP team attended the International Wader Study Group conference in the beautiful Santiago de Compostela.

This annual conference brings together a variety of people all working for wader conservation, and is a great way to strengthen collaboration and knowledge sharing across different countries.

The EIP was well represented by our PhD students Emily Marsh and Andrew Ryan who spoke about their current research projects.

Already looking forward to next years conference!


National Parks and Wildlife Service Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Atlantic Technological University UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science Dublin Zoo Fota Wildlife Park

21/09/2026

Last week, members of the Breeding Waders EIP and the Midlands Mink Eradication Pilot Programme team alongside advisor Mark Craven, delivered mink trap training to colleagues from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The training provided an opportunity to share knowledge, discuss best practice, and
strengthen collaboration in invasive species management.

A sincere thank you to all the NPWS staff who travelled to attend the training and for
their valuable input, engagement, and attention throughout the day. We greatly
appreciate your commitment and contribution!



Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Dublin Zoo Fota Wildlife Park Atlantic Technological University UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science Lantra Ireland

20/09/2026

Wildlife Ranger Challenge.
Our technique might have been poor, but we weren't afraid to pull 😅🥵.
It was a super event with approx. €6,000 being raised to help support Wildlife Rangers in Africa, many hundreds of whom have lost their lives protecting the wildlife they love over the last few years.
Many thanks to NPWS for the invite, to everyone who donated and thanks to Annie, Reno, Fintan and our beautiful mascot Alex for making sure the Breeding Waders EIP Project had a presence at this wonderful event.

National Parks and Wildlife Service
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

18/09/2026

The Breeding Waders is entering a team in this challenge tomorrow. For a great cause so if anyone would like to make a donation the link is below.

Hi, I wanted to share the NPWS team’s first-ever Irish entry in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, taking place in Greystones on 19 September 2026. Instead of running, they’ll row 21km in relay teams or solo, joining more than 1,000 Rangers from over 100 teams across Africa, with all funds supporting the Game Rangers Association of Africa and ranger welfare programmes. They’re already over three-quarters of the way to their goal, and every donation will be matched by the Mark Scheinberg Foundation, so the support can go twice as far for Rangers and their families. Thanks for helping spread the word, and if you’d like to contribute, you can find the fundraiser on the GoFundMe page. 🌿

On 19 September 2026, in Wicklow, Rangers and staff of the National Parks … Sarah Uí Bhroin needs your support for NPWS Takes on the Wildlife Ranger Challenge

18/09/2026

Another successful year at the National Ploughing Championships! 🚜

A sincere thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand over the three days. It was
great to meet so many people and chat about our work.

A big shout out to Tom Curren from UCD who came to our stand to show us the amazing Curlew head his daughter Kate made! 🐦

We would also like to thank the National Parks and Wildlife Service for hosting
our stand, and Christopher O'Sullivan TD for officially launching the Lantra Accreditation
Course.


Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Dublin Zoo Fota Wildlife Park UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science Atlantic Technological University

17/09/2026

Another Milestone for Irish Conservation 🌿

Following this morning's official press release by Minister Christopher O’Sullivan TD and Minister Martin Heydon TD, the team celebrated the launch of Ireland’s first-ever Certified Nest Protection Officer Training Programme live at the 2026 National Ploughing Championships!

This ground-breaking, Lantra-accredited course establishes a formal, professional standard for those working to protect our most vulnerable ground-nesting birds from predation.

Developed by the Breeding Waders EIP in partnership with Lantra, and supported by the NPWS and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

This programme will have considerable benefits for the delivery of ethical, professional Predation Risk Management as part of Ireland's efforts to protect our vulnerable ground-nesting bird populations.

📸 Gathered at the Ploughing today: NPWS team members, Breeding Waders EIP team members, Nest Protection Officers, and Lantra representatives marking this landmark announcement!



UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science Dublin Zoo Atlantic Technological University Fota Wildlife Park Irish Rural Link CAP Network Ireland Michael Martyn Agri-Environment