Project Description

September sees the start of Birdwatch Ireland’s annual Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS).  This is their key citizen science project at this time of year. This survey requires at least some prior knowledge of wetland bird identification and the ability for volunteers to work as part of coordinated teams who survey specific locations on specific dates during the autumn, winter and spring.

Why count waterbirds? Hundreds of thousands of migratory waterbirds spend the winter in Ireland, relying on our wetlands to feed and rest. Most of these birds spend the summer nesting in arctic regions (e.g. Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, Siberia) but fly south in the autumn as their breeding grounds freeze over. As Irish wetlands are so important for their survival, these wild birds and the habitats they rely on are protected by national and EU legislation. And so, I-WeBS exists to keep track of how these birds are faring. With this knowledge, informed conservation action can be taken.

You can find out more about the project, and how to get involved here.

Image courtesy of Birdwatch Ireland