Wings

BirdWatch Ireland’s magazine for members, Wings, is published three times a year and is packed full of news and information including regular features such as:

• Latest News
• Site Guides
• Species Features
• Photo Galleries
• Events and Branch Information
• Reviews
• Rare Bird News

In the current issue

• Sparkbirds: we ask people to tell us about the bird that first sparked their interest in wild birds and nature.
• Spring Diary: Dick Coombes highlights some of the key birds to watch out for over the coming months.
• Where we stand on offshore wind farms: balancing Ireland’s need for offshore renewable energy with the need to ensure that adverse impacts on wildlife are avoided.
• Nightjars confirmed breeding in Ireland: John Lusby reveals how a summer 2024 search for these highly elusive birds, believed possibly to be extinct in Ireland, has confirmed that the species is still breeding in the southeast of the country.
• Saving the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch: Niall Hatch reports on efforts to bring one of the world’s rarest songbirds back from the brink of extinction.
• Tern the Tide: Amy Lewis reports on an art project promoting BirdWatch Ireland’s work to protect Little Terns at Kilcoole Beach, Co. Wicklow, where creativity meets conservation.
• Seabirds Impacted by East Coast Oil spill: We look at the devastating effects of the recent oil spill in the Irish Sea and the efforts made to save afflicted birds.
• A centre-page spread featuring the stunning work of wildlife artist Eilbhe Donovan.
• Osprey makes historic comeback: Cóilín MacLochlainn reports on the welcome return of this long-lost fish-eating bird of prey to Irish skies.
• Wildlife garden in the Devil’s Glen: Cóilín MacLochlainn visits the Co. Wicklow garden of wildlife film-maker Colin Stafford-Johnson.
• Lost forever . . . the Slender-billed Curlew: Amy Lewis reports on the tragic extinction of these once-abundant migratory wading birds and how it must be a wake-up call for global biodiversity action.
• Ainmneacha Éanlaith Éireann: our regular Irish-language column about the origins of Irish bird names, by Fearghas MacLochlainn.
• Branching Out: our regular round-up of the activities of BirdWatch Ireland’s volunteer-led branches around the country.
• Stephen McAvoy on the Rare Bird News from last autumn.
• Richard J Ussher – a Victorian naturalist: Richard Nairn traces the life and work of one of Ireland’s early ornithologists.
• Facelift for Annagh Marsh: Dave Suddaby, BirdWatch Ireland’s Reserves Manager, reports on our conservation works at this Mayo nature reserve.
• Win a copy of Irish Birds by David Cabot in our crossword competition.
• Plus lots, lots more!