Birdwatch Mayo

Willow warbler back on territory in Banemore Bog, singles of Blackcap, Gropper and Sedge warbler heard. Swallows, Wheatear and Willow warbler Kerry head per Brian Power

A large number of Sand martins have returned to this huge pile of excavated soil to nest for the second year in a row, I think there are 40 plus pairs.

April 26th 2025 3 swifts arrived home 11 days earlier than usual. Will it happen this year? 🤔 🤞 #apusapus #commonswift #actionforswifts #swiftconservation #saveourswifts @BBCSpringwatch #northernirelandswifts #swiftconservationireland

The 2CY Bonaparte’s Gull made a brief appearance at Cahore marsh, Wexford, again this afternoon. @BirdGuides

What a bird! This beautiful black-winged stilt was found by Maura Noonan at Cahore marsh, Wexford today, and I managed to see it this evening. Second record for the patch! @BirdGuides

German mayors call for night-time ban on robot lawnmowers to protect hedgehogs | Wildlife | The Guardian share.google/rSiuqtVn3lPPL9…

80 bird species seen today, including an unusually early Sanderling, a couple of weeks before we expect to see them migrating through. Also 3 Sandwich Terns, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, & a lone Pink-footed Goose, whom we suspect to be the regular bird that appears from time to time

Free bat conservation event to take place in Mayo town mayonews.ie/news/castlebar…

First Swallow and Sand Martins around Dublin today officially happy .

A unique event, supported by Mayo County Council’s Biodiversity Office, dedicated to celebrating bats and promoting their conservation will take place in the TF Hotel, Castlebar, Co. Mayo on Thursday 16th April at 7pm. More: mayo.ie/news/Discover-…

Female Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) at a site in the Lower River Shannon catchment this week. Males have completely black bills, while females have an orange patch on the lower mandible. A good way to remember this is to think of females as wearing ‘lipstick’. The Kingfisher is Amber-listed in Ireland and is listed under Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. It is still widespread along Irish rivers; however, it is sensitive to habitat loss and pollution. It is particularly vulnerable to river maintenance works that remove vegetation cover and destroy the banks in which it nests. Kingfishers do not use traditional nests, but instead dig tunnels into vertical, sandy riverbanks. These banks are often targeted during arterial drainage maintenance works, as they are perceived to be eroding and are regraded or reinforced using methods such as rock armouring. This type of work destroys Kingfisher nesting habitat and tunnels, directly eliminating breeding sites and contributing to local population declines.

Hope you enjoyed my barn swallow film on @bbctheoneshow Amazingly I also just spotted my first swallow of the year - must have decided to return in time for it's TV appearance! #TheOneShow

Coming up at 10pm tonight on RTÉ Radio 1: Easter bunnies, Irish pine martens, Dawn Chorus 2026, @mybroadcasts at the Botanic Gardens, and saving New Zealand's albatrosses... rte.ie/radio/radio1/m…

First Swallow and Sand Martins around Dublin today officially happy .

Waxwing feeding on fallen crab apples locally in a windy East Durham yesterday afternoon 👍@DurhamBirdClub @durhamwildlife @teesbirds1 @BirdGuides

Spring is here at Ballycroy Visitor Centre @WildNephin! Highlights: Flourish Music Circle 1 Apr, Wild Child Kids Clubs 4,5,10 Apr, Textile Workshops 29 Mar–19 Apr, Nature Walks 8–29 Apr & Letterkeen Hike 26 Apr. See images for full details & bookings.

The Socotra Bunting is regarded as the hardest endemic to find & some trips have even missed it. We had no sign on our first day looking high on the Dixam plateau, but next day managed to find at least 8 in a remote vegetated wadi after hiking over a steep ridge and descending.

On Mooney Goes Wild, at 10pm tonight on RTÉ Radio 1: Jim Wilson’s kingfisher photography, Dr Kevin Daly on the ancient lineage of Old Irish Goats, Terry Flanagan & Eric Dempsey visit Brent geese in Ballyfermot, & Niall Hatch on a rare Oriental Turtle Dove rte.ie/mooney

🎉 Céide Fields is back open! 🌿 Free admission this Wednesday, 1st April (and every first Wednesday). Perfect for a family outing or a day out in North Mayo. Explore ancient fields, stunning views & Ireland’s heritage! More: heritageireland.ie/places-to-visi… #MayoNorthMembers #Ireland