Who we are
Welcome to BirdWatch Ireland, the largest independent conservation organisation in Ireland. Established in 1968, we currently have over 15,000 members and supporters and a local network of over 30 branches nationwide.
The primary objective of BirdWatch Ireland is the protection of wild birds and their habitats in Ireland. In order to fulfil this objective we:
- Carry out extensive research and survey work
- Operate applied conservation projects and manage a network of reserves nationwide
- Prepare and advocate policies
- Recruit, retain and service a growing membership base
- Promote the importance of wild birds and biodiversity through field education, dedicated media and to the national media.
- Build on existing partnerships with NGOs, with Government departments, the European Commission and farming organisations, and to establish new partnerships with other sectors
Much of our work depends on volunteers and on our branches who are actively involved in survey, education and awareness-raising initiatives and are most familiar with local conservation issues. We take part in a number of Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) forums, such as the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), Environmental (Ecological) NGOs Core Funding Ltd (EENGO), Working and Educating for Biodiversity (WEB) and the Irish Uplands Forum (IUF).
BirdWatch Ireland is the trading name of the Irish Wildbird Conservancy, a company limited by guarantee. It is also a registered charity. Its Board strongly supports its national and international recognised team of highly motivated and qualified experts.
BirdWatch Ireland is the Republic of Ireland partner of BirdLife International, a partnership of over 100 bird conservation organisations across the globe. As a global and European partnership, BirdLife International influences decision-making processes through lobbying and production of robust information and policy material. We also work in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in Northern Ireland to take an all-Ireland approach to conserving priority species.
STRATEGY 2010-2020 (PDF)
Board of Directors
The current members of BirdWatch Ireland's Board of Directors are as follows:
Gerard Lyons (Chairperson)
Catherine Casey
Jim Dowdall
Jim Fitzharris
John Lynch
Breffni Martin
Andrew McMillan
Stephen Wilson
Governance of BirdWatch Ireland
Please click here to visit our Governance page
Annual Reports & Accounts
BirdWatch Ireland Annual Report 2017 (PDF: 1.76MB)
BirdWatch Ireland Annual Accounts 2017 (PDF: 2.66MB)
BirdWatch Ireland Annual Report 2016 (PDF: 1.74MB)
BirdWatch Ireland Annual Accounts 2016 (PDF: 742KB)
BirdWatch Ireland Annual Report 2015 (PDF: 1.54MB)
BirdWatch Ireland Annual Accounts 2015 (PDF: 660KB)
Our Work
Click here to discover more about our conservation work.
Membership
Click here to learn more out the benefits of BirdWatch Ireland membership. Click here to join BirdWatch Ireland as a member.
Support Us
Click here to learn about how you can help us to protect Ireland's wild birds and their habitats.
Our Online Shop
Click here for our online shop, with wonderful children’s gifts, an extensive range of binoculars and optical equipment, birdfood, feeders, books and many other exciting items. You can also visit the BirdWatch Ireland “Wings” shop in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow.
Irish Environmental Network
BirdWatch Ireland is a member of the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) and as such is in annual receipt of a Core Funding Grant from the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment, through the IEN. In 2016, the total amount received by BirdWatch Ireland under this grant was €14,077.16. For more information about the IEN, please visit www.ien.ie.
Registered in Ireland, No. 116468. Registered Charity No. 5703.
Registered Office: Unit 20, Block D, Bullford Business Campus, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
BirdWatch Ireland is the trading name of the Irish Wildbird Conservancy, a company limited by guarantee.