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Birding Resources

Here’s a run-down of some of the most useful websites and online resources for bird watching and birders in Ireland.

Birding Websites

  • Birdwatch Ireland — Ireland’s largest conservation charity. While the website is a bit dated, it is a treasure trove of Irish birding and bird conservation information if you dig a bit. Birdwatch Ireland has a network of local “branches” around the country that arrange open bird watching outings — check the site for details.
  • Irish Birding — Irish Birding is an independent site that documents bird sightings — and is a great way to keep an eye on what’s being seen where — you can query the database by location, keyword, date… and all sorts of other criteria. Definitely one to bookmark.
  • Ireland’s Wildlife — naturally…. While we’re not birding focussed there is a lot of bird related content on the site, with more being added all the time.
  • Bird Guides — Bird Guides is a UK based source of rare bird news and sightings — basic info is free and they offer a variety of tiered subscription services, software and smartphone apps for UK and Irish birders.

Birding Gear

Garden Birding Resources

Birding on Twitter

Recommended Birding Books

  • The Collin’s Bird Guide still far and away the best field guide to the birds of Europe
  • Finding Birds in Ireland by Eric Dempsey — the definitive guide to the best birding sites in Ireland… where to find them, what to look for, and when to visit (read a full review here).
  • Birds of Ireland, A Field Guide — a brand new field guide to the birds of Ireland, taking a new approach with stunning photographic plates showing multiple postures, plumage and behaviour for each species. This is a great supplement to the Collin’s Guide to give you a different view of birds and offer a more uniquely Irish context.

Are we missing a resource you’d like to recommend? Let us know about it in the comments below and we’ll check them out and add relevant ones to the list.

3 comments

  • Calvin, this is a good idea. Here in west Kerry our BWI branch publishes The Dingle Peninsula Bird Report every three yrs. text and layout by Michael O’Clery. It’s good. Reference text. Might this go on yr list.
    Best wishes, Jill

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