We are thrilled to launch the BirdWatch Ireland Annual Report for 2023, which gives an overview of our work over the 12-month period.
2023 proved to be a very successful year for us from both an operational and financial perspective and this document lays out the details of the many conservation, monitoring, research and related activities undertaken in 2023. It was a record-breaking year in many respects. The Kilcoole Little Tern colony had an excellent season, with one of the highest ever numbers of breeding pairs (around 225) as well as excellent productivity, with each pair fledging 1.5
chicks on average. It was also a record-breaking breeding season for Barn Owls in Cork, with 114 nest sites found in the county in 2023. Meanwhile, our I-WeBS workshops also received the highest number of attendees ever, with 120 people joining us in Galway over two days. The high attendance at the workshops highlighted an increasing public desire to learn about and support biodiversity. You can read about these successes and many more in greater detail in the 2023 Annual Report.
Our success in 2023 is in no small part thanks to the continued professionalism and dedication of the BirdWatch Ireland staff, Board and branches, as well as our huge network of supporters. Thank you to all our members and donors for all your support, which is crucial to the success of BirdWatch Ireland.