By Dick Coombes
All at BirdWatch Ireland are deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of our dear colleague and friend, Steve Wing, long-serving wildlife officer at Cape Clear Bird Observatory, who passed away on September 19, 2024. Anyone who has had the pleasure of his company over the last 25 years, whether while being hosted by him at the observatory or simply meeting him and asking for advice, will have been struck by his friendly, informative and endlessly helpful manner.
Steve was born in 1957 in Bradfield, Berkshire. From a very early age he showed a keen interest in the natural world, attaining an “A” in nature study at his local primary school.
The family moved to Devon in 1966, where he completed his education. He then started work in a tax office, followed by a short time in a shipyard.
After a period working on building sites, Steve became a skilled mason and dry stone waller, and this expertise was put to good use when he applied for a nine-month contract on Lundy Island off the Devon coast. There he worked on repairing Marisco Castle and walls around the island.
It was on Lundy that he met his partner Mary Gade. The two of them contributed many interesting birds to the Lundy Bird Observatory log, including their exciting joint find of an American Robin.
Steve spent several years going back and forth to Lundy and then, in 1998, when the post of warden at Cape Clear Bird Observatory became vacant, he and Mary moved to Cape. The observatory was, as estate agents would say, in need of some upgrade and Steve immediately put his building skills to use, gutting the place, putting in new stairs, stud walls, ceilings and floors and converting an adjoining shed into a whole new kitchen. Those who knew the somewhat primitive “Obs” of old were now treated to a truly luxurious, comfortable place to stay.
Steve diligently carried out his observatory duties – everything from the domestic running of the observatory, to walking the beat around the island to count birds, running weekend courses, ringing birds, and tirelessly filling out the daily log. His amiable nature made him the perfect person to act as a link between islanders and visiting birders – Steve simply got on with everybody.
There was always a warm welcome from Steve and Mary and the pair totally immersed themselves in Cape life, involving themselves in all kinds of island activities, including Steve playing Santa Claus at Christmas. You could say, as far as the islanders were concerned, they were family.
Steve was observatory warden till 2012, and after that he and Mary ran Cotter’s Pub on the island for a few years. By then they had started doing a Thai night once a week – the superb meals they produced were simply legendary. Sadly, Mary passed away in Devon in May 2018 after a long Steve Wing. Photo: Shay Hunston illness and, later that year, Steve resumed his post at the observatory.
In his time on Cape Clear, Steve found many rare birds – some notable ones included Arctic Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Yellow Warbler and Ireland’s first Chimney Swift.
He wrote two wonderful books – The Natural History of Cape Clear 1959-2019 and Wing It with Steve: A Bird Guide for Cape Clear.
His demos of bird ringing, good humour and generosity in imparting knowledge to others have left a lasting impression on so many people. Steve would invariably be the first person they met at the pier and the person they still spoke about years after.
Steve said he would like to come back as a Chough – we will be keeping an eye out for you Steve.
In 2022, Steve Wing kindly agreed to be interviewed for an episode of our In Your Nature podcast, released in August of that year. In it, he spoke about his life, his work and his deep connection to Cape Clear Island. If you would like to listen back to it, it is available at www.bit.ly/IYN-Steve.
At his funeral service in the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, Cork on October 1st, this photo tribute was played to “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” by Fairpoint Convention. Click here for a the link to this song if you wish to play it while watching this video (on mute).
