Still waiting for the "high impact actions". Looks like it will be another year before we know. At least let us know : is it Abandon and Retreat?

Birdwatch Ireland CEO Dr Andrew Kelly speaking at Kildare meeting of Birdwatch members in Naas. Almost two thirds of bird species in Ireland are in decline. Help us stop the decline: become a member. www.birdwatchireland.ie

The Hazel trees are in bloom ❤️ male catkins, and the tiny little female red flower. So beautiful when the sun illuminates them between the showers .... @peatlandecr.bsky.social @tocharstories.bsky.social @claireissimo.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social

We are sickened by the reports yesterday in The Guardian that a private jet owned by one of Donald Trump’s friends was not only used to deport Palestinians back to the occupied West Bank but that this jet was allowed to fuel in Shannon Airport.

Still no Climate plan and key government Climate unit has been disbanded... 🤨Meanwhile climate change impacts washing up on our streets and homes, train tracks flooded and roads swept away. Where are the "high impact actions"?

With Trumps threats to Greenland’s independence growing every day, a strong EU response is vital. I’m calling on the Taoiseach to urgently brief Opposition leaders on the possible use of the EU Anti-Coercion Instrument and the impact on Ireland of the new tariffs threat 🇮🇪 🇬🇱 🇪🇺

Unbelievable. Why the delay? The facts are known. Where are the "high impact actions". Where is the urgency? Placing climate burdens on the next generation seems to be the norm for this government.

A New Year's Resolution: www.greenparty.ie/take-action

Starlings carrying nest material into a convenient hole in a soffit at Monread, Naas, Co Kildare. A bit early for nesting?@BirdWatchIE @BirdsMatter_ie photo from Birdwatch Ireland's excellent website.

Young Blackcap on the Beara Peninsula, West Cork, Ireland feeding up before migration on 14 October 2025.

Birdwatch Ireland conservation volunteers with Cape Clear Warden John Horton. Lovely morning for a ringing session.

Irish Times today on decision of the International Court of Justice on responsibility of States to protect the rights of current and future generations to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The EU US Trade deal on future fossil fuel purchase runs foul of the ICJ.

If those 20 EU govts who joined Monday's strong statement by Western countries to immediately allow aid & supplies move unencumbered into Gaza are ready to put their words into action, there's already a qualified majority to act. QMV can immediately suspend the trade chapter 1/4

Healthy environment is a human right: '... those most responsible for causing the climate crisis are legally bound to take action, can be held accountable for inaction and may be required to provide reparations to those most affected' www.irishtimes.com/world/2025/0...

Tonight the Greens are ending a bad tax cut in Dublin City Council. We want to invest instead. We'll be raising money to insulate social housing, bring derelict properties into use, offer pprenticeships, and build zebra crossings. Fixing Dublin = Investing in Dublin

Birdwatch Ireland Kildare visit to Farming for Nature Ambassador, Anthony Mooney's farm. Anthony runs a successful beef farm, does not apply chemical nitrogen and has not reseeded his land for 25 years. We were joined by the Dublin Naturalists Field Club.

Large White Butterfly eggs and larvae on a cabbage leaf today in North Kildare. There are plenty of these about.

Time to protect the seabirds by designating Marine Protected Areas. Birdwatch Ireland's detailed work and mapping will help inform government policy and legislation....... I hope

A map identifying the 73 most important areas for Ireland's seabirds is being launched by BirdWatch Ireland

Landmark case: Court in France found French State liable for death of jogger, citing its "negligence" in enforcing environmental regulations to protect its waters and prevent toxic green algae. In Brittany, 90% of algae blooms are caused by intensive agriculture www.lemonde.fr/en/police-an...

Hummingbird-Hawk-moth on Lavender in my garden.

No Song Sparrow on Tory Island today 😢 after it's one week stay. But isn't the Donegal landscape breathtaking?

And here is another gem. Bord na Mona knows that peat purifies water. They were hired by the US EPA to use Irish peat to address pollution in the Gulf of Mexico also back in the 1950s.

Found this poster today in Lullymore, Co Kildare. Maybe it's time for a new mandate for Bord na Móna to build houses? Sounds like a just transition to me.

Lady's Island Lake is one of Ireland's largest saline lagoons, and hosts a wide variety of bird-life. Unfortunately, it is also highly polluted. I have been working with the Wexford Green Party to highlight this, and today I raised the issue with the Taoiseach www.rte.ie/news/regiona...

Thank you Mary.

Proud to join the board of BirdWatchIreland today working to protect birds and biodiversity.

Wild Dog rose by the Liffey before the rain came.

Great White Egret at Leixlip Reservoir Co Kildare.

"solutions abound, but on housing, the centre is now a vacant site" Gerard Howlin 👌

Don't break the chain! Ground-breaking analysis demonstrating the complex needs of migrating Black-tailed Godwits. Damaging one site can have far-reaching consequences. wadertales.wordpress.com/2025/01/09/h... #ornithology Paper @amigodeaves.bsky.social

Bundling data centres with an energy park sounds good for the Midlands but should not be at the expense of our emissions and biodiversity targets.

Skibbereen was ground zero of Ireland's Great Famine, an Gorta Mór. The Famine Burial Pits at Abbeystrowry hold the remains of up to 10,000 unidentified victims.

Important messaging in this movie about the state of our environment, climate, our bogs and hopes for the future. Made by young people in Kildare. 💚💚💚#DANCEOFTHECRANES #YOUTHINK

Urban meadow in Naas Co Kildare Ireland. #wildflowerhour #nomowmay #bloomscrolling 😊

Michael Healy-Rae’s trees-on-peatland plan is environmental vandalism As out of touch as Min Healy-Rae's comments are the sad reality is that he is directly responding to the calls of industry leaders such as Forest Industry's Ireland & IFA. www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...

Dawn Chorus walk this morning in Monasterevin along the #Barrowblueway with Kildare Branch of Birdwatch Ireland.

We delivered free public transport for under-9s in Budget 2025. Now we’re asking the new Minister of State: when will the Government roll it out? We'll keep pushing for a timely rollout - to cut congestion, support families, and encourage public transport use from an early age.

New Pope Leo "is outspoken about the need for urgent action on climate change", says the College of Cardinals Report "He aligns closely with Pope Francis’ environmental priorities." collegeofcardinalsre...

There’s never been a better time to join the Green Party. While others talk the talk, we walk the walk — on climate action, social justice, and a fairer future for all. Help us work to win back seats at every level of Government. Join us today: greenparty.ie/take-action

Proud owner of Robert's delightful study of Curlew Sandpipers. Still my favourite. Thank you Rob 🎨🖌️

First Rock Dove RAS session of the year catching 25 birds inc 6 new and a retrap from 2019. Also a migrant catching session by the lake with new warden, John Horton, of mainly warblers with highlight being a Spanish control Chiffchaff @ccbowarden.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social

Irish Cuckoo Update - Cores is back in Ireland! Leaving Algeria 🇩🇿 on 12th he sped north to Bilbao, Spain 🇪🇸. On 21st did a big sea crossing of Bay of Biscay arriving near Mallow in Cork the next day. 1200km of open water and just 70km from home @npwsireland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social

Kildare's deer expert Joe Murphy gave a fascinating talk to Birdwatch Ireland in Naas this evening. Deer are in every county in Ireland with numbers still on the rise. Only our native Irish Red Deer are protected.

Minke Whale, Basking Shark, Common Dolphin & Grey Seal today. One obs guest, a keen canadian birder was delighted to record his first Sedge Warbler. A scarce visitor until recent years, sightings suggest these Buzzards may nest. Orange-tip butterfly was new for year. Photo 2 Buzzards (JH).

Insect splattered windscreen from motorway drive Dublin to West Cork. Long time since I have seen this. Is this usual now?

The first ' weekend with the warden ' course of 2025 this weekend, guests were enthralled by the bird ringing followed by a birdwatching walk, we had fabulous views of a Hoopoe & a stunning male Common Redstart. Other sightings, Wryneck, Pied Flycatcher, 5 Hoopoe, Black Redstart & 3 Brambling.

Today's highlights; the first Irish record of Corncrake for this year as one was flushed close to West Bog, at least 4 Hoopoe still present, Common Redstart, Black Redstart, Tree Pipit and 6 Bramblings. 51 birds ringed included Redwing, Brambling and a ' tristis ' Chiffchaff see photo (JH).

Yellow Wagtail, Ring Ouzel, Common Redstart & Lesser Redpoll were all new for year. 6 Hoopoes included only the 2nd one ever ringed on Cape, the previous one over 40yrs ago in 1983. Also spotted, 8 Black Redstarts, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare & 12 Bramblings. Photo one of todays two Ring Ouzels (JH).