Birds

Ireland’s birds are an essential part of our landscapes, from garden hedges and inland wetlands to the wild Atlantic coastline, each playing a role in a fragile natural balance. In recent decades, that balance has begun to shift. Between 2000 and 2023, just 19 of Ireland’s 44 common bird species increased in number, while 12 declined and 13 remained stable. The picture is even more worrying at sea. Of Ireland’s 24 breeding seabirds, only one species is doing well, with 20 under serious threat and three now at risk of extinction, including the Puffin. These images invite a deeper appreciation of Ireland’s birds.