BirdWatch Ireland is one of nine partners in a new €20 million, four-year plan, led by RSPB Northern Ireland, aimed at tackling the decline of priority species and habitats in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

The programme, PeacePlus Nature, will see BirdWatch Ireland focus on the protection and conservation of breeding waders, particularly at sites across Co. Donegal. It builds on previous cross-border projects, including the Halting Environmental Loss Project (HELP, 2011-2014) and Cooperating Across Borders for Biodiversity (CABB, 2017-2022).

Since 2011, the organisation has been active in protecting breeding wader sites through surveys, habitat management, farmer engagement, and the installation of Predator Exclusion Fences (PEFs). These electrified barriers prevent mammalian predators such as foxes, badgers, and small mustelids from accessing breeding colonies at key sites including Sheskinmore, Magheragallon, Rinmore, Long Point, and Blanket Nook.

Monitoring during the CABB project showed a 12% decline in breeding wader populations across 37 sites in Donegal and Sligo between 2017 and 2021. Predation, disturbance, agricultural intensification, wind energy, and afforestation were identified as key pressures. However, sites with predator fences recorded increases in some species, particularly Lapwing, highlighting their effectiveness.

Under PeacePlus Nature, BirdWatch Ireland plans to:

• Manage and upgrade predator fences, including replacements at Magheragallon and Rinmore, while NPWS will replace the Sheskinmore fence. Weekly monitoring will ensure operational effectiveness.
• Employ a Conservation Keeper to manage predators, particularly corvids, in collaboration with existing NPWS and other conservation networks.
• Wardening on Tory Island, the most important breeding wader site in the northwest, which supports over 100 pairs and is the only site to support breeding Dunlin. A dedicated warden will work with the community to mitigate disturbance and predation.
• Continue population monitoring, including annual surveys and a full census of 35 sites in 2028.
• Engage stakeholders, including NPWS, the Breeding Wader EIP, Life on Machair, Donegal Acres, and local farmers, to ensure coordinated conservation and habitat management.

Other partners in the programme include Butterfly Conservation, Monaghan County Council, River Blackwater Catchment Trust, Truagh Development Association, Lough Neagh Partnership, NI Water, and An Taisce. Collectively, the partnership aims to restore priority habitats, including upland blanket bog and lowland wet grassland, and conserve key species such as chough, corncrake, and marsh fritillary.

BirdWatch Ireland said it looks forward to beginning work in the coming months and will provide regular updates on progress ahead of the 2026 breeding season.