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

• Important new guidance on feeding garden birds, prompted by the severe impact of disease on Irish finch populations.
• Sparkbirds: we ask people to tell us about the bird that first sparked their interest in wild birds and nature.
• Summer Diary: Dick Coombes highlights some of the key birds to watch out for over the coming months.
• Great Skua – Ireland’s newest breeding seabird: Cóilín MacLochlainn reports on the colonisation of islands along Ireland’s northern and western coasts by these impressive seabirds.
• Ainmneacha Éanlaith Éireann: Fearghas Mac Lochlainn continues his regular Irish-language column on the names of birds as Gaeilge.
• Taking the plunge: Evie McCloughan tells us about making her debut as a volunteer surveyor for the Countryside Bird Survey.
• Developing Swift conservation measures: Tara Adcock, BirdWatch Ireland’s Urban Birds Project Officer, updates us on the work underway across the country to help the Swift, one of Ireland’s most vulnerable summer migrants.
• Coming together with PeacePlus Nature: Anita Donaghy, BirdWatch Ireland’s Head of Species & Land Management, reports on our role in this major new cross-border conservation project.
• Urgent need for Marine Protected Areas: It is time that the Irish Government legislated for Marine Protected Areas in order to ensure proper protection of our seabirds, writes Sarah Hegarty, our Marine Advocacy & Campaigns Officer.
• One man and his dog . . . and their orchids!: Kaylin Doherty, BirdWatch Ireland’s Communications Officer, interviews naturalist and author Declan Murphy about his latest book, due to be published in September.
• EU Nature Directives are under threat: why we urgently need strong laws to protect nature, and ourselves.
• A centre-page spread featuring the stunning work of wildlife artist Colleen Fitzpatrick.
• The Call of the Quail: Jim Fox recalls listening to Quails in Ireland and marvellinng at their ability to disguise their locations by throwing their voices.
• A report on our 2026 Branch Delegates’ Meeting in Portaloise.
• Cork Bird Report 2019-2023: Mark Shorten reports on the publication of the latest report for one of Ireland’s most ornithologically important counties.
• Branching Out: our regular round-up of the activities of BirdWatch Ireland’s volunteer-led branches around the country.
• Stephen McAvoy brings us the Rare Bird News from January to March 2026.
• A tribute to the late ornithologist, libarian, editor and author Hugh Brazier, who served as a member of our board throughout the 1980s.
• Win a copy of The Living and the Dead by Conor W. O’Brien in our crossword competition.
• Plus lots, lots more!