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Bumper Corncrake breeding season sees best numbers in 25 years

Corncrake Crex crex

Figures from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) confirm that the red-listed Corncrake has had its most successful Irish breeding season in 25 years with 233 confirmed breeding territories. The 2024 figure represents a 45% increase since 2018.The ground-nesting corncrake is a shy and elusive summer visitor that spends….

Panasonic Lumix G9II Camera Review for Wildlife Photography

A close-up of a Panasonic Lumix G9II camera held by a hand, with a blurred green grass background.

I’ve been using the superb Panasonic Lumix G9 Micro-four-thirds camera for my wildlife photography since I reviewed it here on the site back in 2018, not long after its release. It was… and indeed still is… a fantastic camera for wildlife. With the announcement of the Lumix G9II in late….

How to watch Basking Sharks

A basking shark off the West Cork Coast

“Shark-infested waters” isn’t a term you normally associate with the Irish coastline, yet in late spring and early summer the Irish coast is one of the best places in Europe to see one of the world’s largest sharks.The basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) is the largest fish in the North Atlantic, and second largest….

Vortex Razor HD 27-60×85 Spotting Scope Review

A Vortex Razor HD Spotting Scop looking out over the Irish coast

Pros: Bright, sharp, high-contrast image that delivers plenty of detail at lower magnifications across a wide range of conditions. Large objective lens pulls in plenty of light through twilight and beyond, focus ring integrated into scope body is quick and accurate. Reasonably compact for a full-size scope. Excellent build quality….

Swarovski Optik NL Pure 10×32 Binocular Review

A person reviewing the Swarovski Optik NL Pure 10x32 binoculars.

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 10×32 is an exceptional binocular up there with the very best.Cons: While they are svelte, the barrels on the NL Pure are long….

Páramo champions recycling of its outdoor gear

Outdoor Gear: The Paramo Valez Adventure Light Smok

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 up near the top of a very short list. I’ve been using Páramo rain gear….

Vortex Razor UHD 10×42 Binocular Review

Vortex Razor UHD Binocular Review by Ireland's Wildlife

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 accomplished binocular that holds its own with the best on the market.Cons: A little on the large side for a….

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 processionea) had been discovered on four oak trees in a Dublin housing estate. The caterpillars and the trees have been destroyed in an attempt to eradicate the pest before….

World Migratory Bird Day — ESRI Mapping Migration

Swift Migration Ireland

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 chance to catch a glimpse of them as they return north to build nests and prepare for the breeding season.Esri Ireland, a market….

Vanguard VEO HD 2 8×42 Binocular Review

Vanguard VEO HD Birding and Wildlife Binocular

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, vivid colours that make the image “pop”.Cons: Twist up eyecups are plastic, rather than metal, Vanguard Warranty dropped from 25….

2023 Discover Wildlife Weekend Dates

Humpback whale off Ireland's Wild South Coast

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 Atlantic Way.What are Discover Wildlife Weekends?Discover Wildlife Weekends are the perfect opportunity to get away….

Review: Hawke Frontier APO 10×42 Binocular

Hawke’s Frontier APO is the new flagship binocular model from a brand with a reputation for offering the best value for money in the business. With a host of premium features, at a price-point that undercuts market leaders by a significant margin, we find out how Hawke’s new top-of-the-range birding….