Steve Wing (1957 – 2024)
Today we remember our dear colleague and friend, Steve Wing, long-serving Wildlife Officer at BirdWatch Ireland’s Cape Clear Bird Observatory, who passed away on 19th September 2024. To mark the 1st anniversary of Steve’s passing we are launching a special memorial project in his name, the Steve Wing Memorial Bursary.
A lifelong birder, Steve had a passion for bird monitoring and recording. In particular, he loved migration time, diligently updating the ‘Daily Log’ and ringing birds on Cape Clear Island during his time as Warden of our bird observatory. Steve was also a great advocate of education and was extremely generous with his time, always willing to share his impressive natural history knowledge, in the typically unassuming way which he did so well. It is therefore a fitting tribute to Steve that this bursary will provide an aspiring young ornithologist/ecologist with an opportunity to obtain training and gain experience ‘in the field’, helping to record bird migration at one of Ireland’s most famous bird migration locations.
Each year, BirdWatch Ireland will advertise for applications for the Steve Wing Memorial Bursary, which is open to young and aspiring ecologists/naturalists aged 18-25. The bursary is designed to help with support training, mentorship and direct experience in the fields of ornithology and ecology. BirdWatch Ireland has set up a committee, comprised of BirdWatch Ireland staff members, Oileán Chléire islanders and Steve Wing’s family, to oversee the bursary. The value of the bursary each year is €1,000. Two weeks’ accommodation in Cape Clear Bird Observatory, worth €600, will be paid for by BirdWatch Ireland. A total of €400 will be paid to the successful recipient to help cover the cost of travel and living costs while on the island.
Steve’s family commented, “If the bursary can assist a student in any small way along the path towards a career in natural history, what a fine tribute to Steve, to all his hard work and to his love of the natural world this will be.”
This bursary has been made possible thanks to the generous donations received in Steve’s memory following his death in September 2024. Many thanks to everyone who has donated. The 2025 inaugural Steve Wing Memorial Bursary has been awarded to Lauren O’Brien.
Details of the 2026 application process will be made on the BirdWatch Ireland website and social media channel in early 2026. Further details are available here.
Click here to watch a photographic tribute to Steve Wing on YouTube.
Click here to watch an episode from Steve’s vlog, ‘Living the Life on Cape Clear,’ filmed in 2024.
