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Featured:
Swarovski Optik NL Pure 10×32 Binocular Review
Pros: Fantastic edge-to-edge image quality, sublime ergonomics, great low-light performance and a field of view to rival many 8x binoculars, coupled with outstanding build quality -- the NL Pure 10x32 is an exceptional binocular up there with the very best.Cons: While they are svelte, the barrels on the NL Pure are long for a 32mm binocular, so they are perhaps not as compact as you might expect. Tight-fitting eyepiece rain-guard can lead to accidental movement of eye-cups during … [Read more...]
Wildlife News & Events
Oak Processionary Moth confirmed in Ireland
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed earlier this week that colonies of the invasive Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea … [Read more...]
World Migratory Bird Day — ESRI Mapping Migration
Around 450 different bird species have been recorded on the island of Ireland, and although a lot of them are migratory and rare, now is the best … [Read more...]
Wildlife features
9 top tips for feeding your garden birds
During the winter short days and long nights limit the time birds have to forage, while at the same time natural food becomes more scarce. Our garden birds have increasingly come … [Read more...]
12 Expert tips on choosing binoculars for birding and wildlife observation
Binoculars are perhaps your most indispensable piece of wildlife watching equipment. The right pair of binoculars can enhance your enjoyment of and engagement with the natural world exponentially. But choosing … [Read more...]
Making the most of Spring Migration
Spring migration is an exciting time of year for birding in Ireland.During this relatively brief window from early April until the end of May birds are on the move. There's a changing of the guard as our winter … [Read more...]
Wildlife Blog
Páramo champions recycling of its outdoor gear
When it comes to outdoor gear that can keep you comfortable in all kinds of conditions, and has the ethical environmental credentials many wildlife enthusiasts look for, UK based manufacturer Páramo is going to be … [Read more...]
2023 Discover Wildlife Weekend Dates
Our popular Discover Wildlife Weekends will once again take place in spring, summer and autumn of 2023. As always, we'll be hosting the weekends in Rosscarbery, on the stunning West Cork stretch of Ireland's Wild … [Read more...]
Beneficial Garden Insects and How to Attract Them to Your Garden
Beneficial insects are essential in keeping our gardens and farms healthy. Some pollinate plants that produce our food. Others eat pests that would otherwise destroy our food crops. They also help break down dead … [Read more...]
Species Profiles
Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia)
The adult emperor moth is a truly spectacular insect. On the wing in April and May, the male of this large, day-flying moth species is a particularly striking sight, and can easily be mistaken for a butterfly due to … [Read more...]
Raven (Corvus corax)
Seen close up the raven is a truly magnificent bird. The largest member of the crow family, it is the biggest passerine (perching) bird in Europe, and occurs all over Ireland.Size is the raven's most … [Read more...]
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
The hooded crow, grey crow or “hoodie” as it's sometimes called, is almost identical to the closely related carrion crow (Corvus corone) except for its distinctive grey and black plumage. The two birds are so … [Read more...]
Wildlife Gear Reviews
Swarovski Optik NL Pure 10×32 Binocular Review
Pros: Fantastic edge-to-edge image quality, sublime ergonomics, great low-light performance and a field of view to rival many 8x binoculars, coupled with outstanding build quality -- the NL Pure 10x32 is an … [Read more...]
Vortex Razor UHD 10×42 Binocular Review
Pros: Superb image quality that lives up the name. Exceptionally bright, pin-sharp image across the wide field of view. Smooth, accurate focus and outstanding build quality rounds off what is a very … [Read more...]
Vanguard VEO HD 2 8×42 Binocular Review
Pros: High quality optics that deliver premium features and a high-performance viewing experience at a reasonable price point. Sharp, contrasty image impresses in a range of challenging viewing conditions. Bright, … [Read more...]
Wildlife Book Reviews
Book Review: Crossbill Guides, Ireland
For a small island perched on the edge of the north Atlantic, right on the periphery of Europe, Ireland is home to a wonderful array of flora and fauna, and the diverse mosaic of habitats that they call home. As a … [Read more...]
Europe’s Birds, An Identification Guide (Book Review)
I've never really been a fan of photo field guides. In the past, I've always gravitated towards the more nuanced interpretation of a skilled illustrator to highlight key features, to help me identify … [Read more...]
Book Review: Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe
The Odonata, dragonflies and damselflies, is one of our most fascinating groups of insects. As adults, they're comparatively large and highly active, which makes them one of the most noticeable and easiest insect … [Read more...]
Featured Wildlife Websites
The World Land Trust
World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation charity, which protects the world’s most biologically important and threatened habitats acre by acre. Since its foundation in 1989, WLT has funded partner … [Read more...]
Wildside.ie — exploring the nature and wildlife of Wexford
Wildlide.ie is a site dedicated to the wildlife and natural history of County Wexford. It's run by a trio of contributors: wildlife artist Don Conroy, Environmentalist and Broadcaster Chris Wilson and radio … [Read more...]
Spring Alive: help track spring’s progress through Europe
With the early arrival of spring making headlines it looks like the Spring Alive website is back in action again.Every year Spring Alive tracks the progress of spring across Europe by asking people from across … [Read more...]
