Oonagh Duggan
Head of Advocacy at BirdWatch Ireland. (pic : Hen Harrier by Dick Coombes)
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganA bad hair day for a Hair duck. Red-breasted merganser in a brisk Southerly. Hair duck, Papay name. #Papay #Orkney #birdnames
- Packed day today on ag policy when we met Minister Heydon at the Byrnes' farm to talk abt water quality, nitrates and nature. Then got technical with DAFM staff. Thanks to DAFM, the Minister and the Byrnes' for the constructive engagment.
- Reposted by Oonagh Duggan🆕 New guide: How to #restorenature in European agriculture 🌱Find out how to implement the Nature Restoration Regulation in farming systems, from restoring habitats to aligning it with the EU’s farming policy, to protect biodiversity and strengthen food security: www.birdlife.org/wp-content/u...
- South Mayo Turloughs walk. Jan 24 2026. All welcome
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganWelt anti NGOs slander reprimended by German authority Invented story on Timmermans secret funding of NGOs has been all over the European press. Few will see the sanction. Would be great if EPP and ECR MEPs that spread the fake would openly admit they were wrong www.presserat.de/presse-nachr...
- Our staff were at the JOC on Maritime Affairs and Fisheries today to discuss Marine Protected Areas & the designation of our IBAs for seabirds as SPAs. Read our statement here birdwatchireland.ie/app/uploads/...
- This BBC Food Prog by @dansaladino.bsky.social & team "Why is Africa Feeding Us?" left me saying 'oh my God'. Thoughts buzzing in my head. Jobs for Senegalese, UK veg growers being squeezed, ppl wanting summer veg yr round, safeguards for nature? Listen to it. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
- BirdWatch Ireland is hiring a Marine Advocacy and Campaigns Officer. Deadline Jan 7th 2026. Details at link here: birdwatchireland.ie/get-involved...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganWe are seeking to recruit an experienced Office Manager with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, with line-management and customer service experience. A background in the finance or charity sector would be advantageous. Full details at birdwatchireland.ie/get-involved...
- Egregious breaches of enviro law by #Coolmore stud. 1.15km of 300 yr old hedgerow removed. Prohibition order imposed & then they removed the clay banks. Well done Dept of Ag Min Martin Heydon for a successful investigation & prosecution. potential for 250k in fines. m.independent.ie/irish-news/c...
- BirdWatch Ireland is hiring a Marine Advocacy and Campaigns Officer to help secure a better future for Ireland's seabirds. Deadline 5pm Jan 7th 2026 for applications and cover letter. Full details including job description is here birdwatchireland.ie/get-involved... (pic Brenda Sheridan)
- Unbelievable. I get that it's important to highlight the positives. And yes there are some great, inspirational projects happening in some places. But it's a drop in the ocean compared to what's needed. And to frame the Art 17 report as good news is just misinformation.
- Honest to God I think this discussion about naming burgers, sausages is farcical and should be called to halt. People are not stupid. www.politico.eu/article/eu-v...
- Extremely worrying that the Advisory Ctee for National Nature Restoration Plan is not seeing any commitment from govt to fund the implementation of the Plan. The 3.14bn climate & nature fund was the biggest hope for funding it but govt said no. Absolute disgrace. www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganEU decision-makers are on a mission to roll back vital nature laws Our response to that? #HandsOffNature Environmental laws need to be enforced not weakened @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu Read more here 👉 wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eu...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganThe discovery of a Flapper Skate egg on Bray seafront is another reminder that all is not lost. Even the Irish Sea has the capacity to recover if given a fighting chance. www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganWhat excuse do the other countries have for delaying nature restoartion?
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganGet ready for the Irish Garden Bird Survey, which kicks off on Monday 1st December! We need records from as many gardens across Ireland as possible, so please spread the word! birdwatchireland.ie/irish-garden...
- Reposted by Oonagh Duggan“It holds bountiful oil, gas, minerals & fish. And it promises to shorten global shipping routes”. Well hallelujah, collapsing Arctic ice sheet will allow full-scale looting of one of world’s last remaining pristine landscapes. Capitalism (and media) looks increasingly like a global death cult.
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganBirdWatch Ireland is seeking to recruit a Warden for Tory Island, Co. Donegal as part of PeacePlus Nature. The application deadline is 1st December. For full details, see birdwatchireland.ie/get-involved.... PEACEPLUS is supported by the ERDF & the UK & Irish Governments.
- We will be marching on Sat Nov 15 as part of the national climate demonstration calling for an end to fossil fuels and greater protection for seabirds like the Puffin which are also impacted by climate change. 1pm Garden of Remembrance in Dublin. birdwatchireland.ie/birdwatch-ir...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganJob opportunity at BirdWatch Ireland! We are recruiting a PeacePlus Finance & Project Manager: the application deadline has been extended to Wednesday 19th November. For full details, see birdwatchireland.ie/get-involved.... PEACEPLUS is supported by the ERDF & the UK & Irish Governments.
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganThe idea that Ireland has ever "gold plated" the transposition of EU Environmental law, is causing a lot of people in my world to chortle manically.
- My PDCY election take aways: Govt didnt seem to be v interested in selecting candidates Negativity & low blows are seen thru Most want a president who's a thinker An Irish prez is where we'd like the world to be but maybe not where we are. Peace, empathy, unity, nuance, context.
- Great thread.
- Collison ignores that Irelands boom - bust economic cycles have come from elites concentrating power & wealth. Handing more control to neo-liberal politicians risks repeating the same mistakes. We needs accountability, not another elite “efficiency fix” www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganDear MS Politicians + MEPs @europarl.europa.eu: Please start making noise about the #LIFE program. The @ec.europa.eu proposal is insufficient, we need dedicated money in the #MFF (ECF/NRP) to #RestoreNature! cc @cesarluena.bsky.social @juttapaulus.bsky.social @rasmusnordqvist.bsky.social
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganBrilliant visuals making the latest bird migration science accessible. The birds have important messages for us about our rapidly changing home. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- BirdWatch Ireland is recruiting a Comms Officer. Please spread the word!
- BirdWatch Ireland is recruiting a Communications Officer, a 2-year position partially funded through the Heritage Council's Heritage Organisations Support Fund 2025. For full details and to apply, visit birdwatchireland.ie/get-involved...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganQ: Why was the person responsible for the Blackwater fish kill never found? A: it wasn’t anybody’s job. I talked to the heads of all the agencies involved in the investigation, about why the biggest pollution event in Irish history fell between the cracks. Listen: 👉 www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganGlobal Warning now on Al Jazeera. Episode 1 broadcast this week. Or you can stream it here. 👉 www.aljazeera.com/video/featur... #Climate #ClimateCrisis hasn’t gone away.
- I fnd myself getting v.angry listening to less than convincing commentary frm IFI & @epaireland.bsky.social on Countrywide abt Blackwater. Well done to @philipb-h.bsky.social for keeping the river in the news. Does govt care at all abt this & all rivers? www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganEPA report: 💩 59% of sewage plants pollute our rivers & seas 😬40% of the failures can be quickly avoided as due to poor procedures, maintenance & training Robust training & preventative maintenance + more urgent timelines on infrastructure needed. www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganSWAN Calls for More Urgent Action as EPA Report Exposes Persistent Sewage Failures It “shows that more than 40% of the pollution failures are down to issues that could be rapidly addressed such as poor plant operation & inadequate maintenance & training" swanireland.ie/2025/10/swan...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganThe shocking list of chemicals and treatments that are allowed to be used in so called 'organic' salmon from fish farms in Ireland highlighted by SWAN Marine & Coastal Policy Officer at the @salmonwatchireland.bsky.social conference.
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganGood news and hopefully a breakthrough in funding conservation along our flyway. www.birdlife.org/news/2025/10... It follows ground breaking work @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social has been doing in the East Asia- Australasia and the Americas flyways.
- @rteradio1.bsky.social Countrywide was top notch again yest. Anyone else hear it? The brutality of colonialism when a landlord tried to create the biggest sheep farm in Ireland. Farming, nature, artefacts in the landscape. Compelling listening. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganVery proud that #RestoreNature campaign won the SER comms award. Well done @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social @wwf.eu @eeb.org @clienteartheur.bsky.social
- Reposted by Oonagh Duggan
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganWe are banning PFAS in firefighting foams. Good news for the environment and public health. This is an important step forward to tackle PFAS pollution across Europe. ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
- It was great to be part of the @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social meeting on agriculture last week in Puck, Poland. Farmland birds are in serious trouble in Ireland. Farmers are stepping up & more financial support & encouragement needed to reverse the declines. Agri policy needs to support them.
- "Nature is our defence, we need it for resilience agst climate breakdown & biodiversity loss, dont weaken environmental laws or their implementation"@birdwatchireland.bsky.social Head of Policy Oonagh Duggan's msg to @ec.europa.eu Commr @marossefcovic.bsky.social at mtg w/ @envpillar.bsky.social
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganBudget 2026 must mark a decisive shift and should be the starting point for serious investment in climate and nature projects to meet our legally binding targets and to avoid future costs and pain for the Irish people www.environmentalpillar.ie/government-s...
- 4606 @birdwatchireland.bsky.social members and supporters sent a submission to the @ec.europa.eu calling on them not to weaken environmental laws and threaten nature. People love nature and want it protected and restored.
- Great to be at the handover of #HandsOffNature signatures to European Commissioner for the Environment Jessika Roswall. Nearly 200,000 EU citizens sent their messages urging the Commission not to touch the laws that protect our water, air, biodiversity, and much more
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganThis is just, scientifically, so wrong. -Fragilised ecosystems lose carbon -Damaged ecosystems make climate caused disasters like floods, droughts and fires a lot worse -Biodiversity loss and pollution are as big threats to humanity as climate change, and as irreversible (on human time scale).
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganIt’s amazing what you find out when you ask business leaders about specific rules as opposed to generic hand waving over bureaucracy EU leaders going hard with the worn out deregulation tropes should take note
New E3G survey of 2,500 #EU business leaders shows strong support for corporate sustainability rules. A majority back #climate transition plans, see sustainability as key to competitiveness, and want the EU to set global standards. Read more 👇 www.e3g.org/publications...
- These are important findings which rebuff the apparent roll back of the green deal.
- New E3G survey of 2,500 #EU business leaders shows strong support for corporate sustainability rules. A majority back #climate transition plans, see sustainability as key to competitiveness, and want the EU to set global standards. Read more 👇 www.e3g.org/publications...
- Environmental damage is putting European way of life at risk, says report www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- "We took out 450 fish in an hour’: Blackwater pollution highlights decade of poor environmental compliance" Government must not wash their hands of the pollution in the Blackwater. www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganCheck out this great segment from today's Morning Ireland about our seabird census work on the island of Ireland's Eye, a fantastic collaboration with Fingal County Council: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
- Farmers are not getting their due reward for farming in designated areas. www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/pl...
- Good day at #Ploughing2025 Was happy to be invited by the Farmers Journal to speak on a panel w/IFA & INHFA abt the biodiversity crisis, restoring nature, & actions farmers can take at farm level. There was consensus among us that the funding for nature restoration must be clarified & committed to.
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganA North Cork angler says authorities are showing a lack of urgency in investigating the River Blackwater fish kill. Inland Fisheries Ireland insists all agencies are committed, but Conor Arnold believes time is running out for real accountability. #VMNews
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganToday is the last day for you to send a message to ask the European Commission to keep their #HandsOffNature. Please, don't let them destroy EU nature protection laws👉 birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/adv...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganIn a major U-turn on @daera-ni.gov.uk proposals to reduce agricultural pollution in Lough Neagh, Sinn Fein has now backed a motion condemning calls to 'scrap the nap'. The party is also calling for North-South and UK action on the 'national crisis' theearthscorr.substack.com/p/sinn-fein-...
- The @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu #SOTEU address was sobering. War, fight, defence, unity, little mention of envt. I put my head in my hands at one point. And then this weird & enthusiastic (practically hollering) shout out for "CARS", Europe's cars.
- Reposted by Oonagh Duggan@birdwatchireland.bsky.social, with support from @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social , @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social and collaborators, have published 73 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas for Seabirds. Learn more➡️ www.seabirdtracking.org/birdwatch-ir... With massive thanks to all involved!
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganOur ringing work in partnership with Dublin Port Company provides invaluable insights into the migration behaviour of Oystercatchers. This bird ringed in 2017, now 9 years old, was spotted on its breeding grounds in Berneray, Scotland for the first time this year.
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganOnly 2 days left to tell decision-makers: #HandsOffNature. Join over 150,000 citizens defending EU nature laws! If you are against the weakening of EU nature laws, now is the moment to speak up. Your voice matters. Use it now: birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/adv...
- Does dairy ind call out bad actors? North Cork Co-Op 2 wks ago, @epaireland.bsky.social tests fnd -ammonia in discharge 52 times over limit -orthophosphate 7 times over limit -total phosphorus levels were 21/2 times over limit No link to Blackwater fish kill afaik. www.rte.ie/news/regiona...
- Really bugs me when folk compare bird deaths caused by cats/window collision vs wind turbines effects. The birds that can be impacted by turbines are often threatened species or spp slow to reproduce, not your common garden bird. The art below sets out an explanation. &yes cats are an issue!
- Recommended read on efforts to understand wind turbine bird strikes & effective solutions to mitigate them cc @alexanderlees.bsky.social @arielbrunner.bsky.social e360.yale.edu/features/win...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganPod of this week’s Last Word on the Environment with Matt Cooper on Today FM now available. We discussed seabird protection, nuclear shutdown in heatwave & China’s renewables revolution. www.todayfm.com/podcasts/the...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganThe European Commission has told the Government that in order for Ireland to retain a nitrates derogation for farmers from next year it must demonstrate efforts to conserve designated sites or species under the EU's Habitats Directive
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganWhile Ireland is paralysed with inaction and indecision, other countries are getting on with the task of protecting their seas. Denmark now the latest to announce a restriction on bottom trawling. seas-at-risk.org/press-releas...
- The culmination of 2yrs work w/many players. Last wk we launched our IBAs for seabirds. A significant contribution to the science in IE & we hope to govt meeting its legal obligations for seabirds as per Art 4 of Birds Dir which is overdue since 1998. All info▶️ birdwatchireland.ie/ibas-for-sea...
- Farmers have different motivations to restore nature. Worth listening to this piece from @rteradio1.bsky.social Countrywide. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
- Reposted by Oonagh Duggan"The challenge of nature degradation fundamentally stems from a deeply rooted market failure. Addressing this failure falls primarily within the remit of policymakers, not of central banks" Frank Elderson, European Central Bank. cleantechnica.com/2025/07/04/e...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganFresh catch this morning. Good to see fish being landed for young at the quarry along the East Craig this morning.
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganA public swimming pool in the Senne is a powerful symbol of hope. Political leaders who find the courage to ignore the hate and ridicule campaigns can actually build a better world.
- Restore nature in villages, towns and cities. ⬇️
- Reposted by Oonagh Duggan23 of 24 of Ireland's breeding seabird species are under threat yet the places they breed, feed & socialise are largely unprotected. Major work by @birdwatchireland.bsky.social identifies 73 coastal & marine sites needing legal safeguards @naturenymph.bsky.social www.independent.ie/irish-news/m...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganThis is a nice visualisation for anyone in any doubt about the need for Marine Protected Areas. It shows the extent and intensity of fishing activity (not all of it even as much of the inshore fishing is not documented). Where is marine life supposed to go?
- Extremely concerning indeed.
- Another step towards a totalitarian Europe has been taken. @eppgroup.bsky.social voting with the extreme right, has established a dedicated parliamentary committee to go after NGO funding. There is no scandal to investigate, no problem to solve. Just the creation of a permanent slander platform.
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganFormer HSE chief executive Paul Reid is expected to be named as the chairperson of An Coimisiún Pleanála, which will replace An Bord Pleanála
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganBy coincidence I was passing Tuam today as the hoarding went up around the Mother & Baby Home site. A discreet and respectful veil. It’s 11 years since I took this photo of Catherine Corless at her kitchen table. I rang her today just to say hi. 🧵
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganThe flora of Fermanagh is fabulously diverse thanks to the underlying limestone. Opportunities to learn more about the Sedges at Crom NT with Robert Northridge and Grasses at Castle Coole with Jen Farrar, are coming soon. Book your places now at bsbi.org/botanical-sk...!
- I got the opportunity to help answer the question on de-risking the public finances at the session w/Minister Paschal Donohoe representing @birdwatchireland.bsky.social & @envpillar.bsky.social at #NED25
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganNice try, Monday. #MondayMotivation 📷 Jeff Sykes
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganSeagull drinks coffee, steals mug of man installing anti-bird spikes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- Reposted by Oonagh Duggan"Legally speaking, bottom trawling in protected areas is not legal, and if policymakers don’t live up to their obligations, we will bring them before court" I hope this message is being heard in Dublin www.euronews.com/green/2025/0...
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganLobbyControl reveals that a new German organisation that attacks NGOs and their funding was set up by PR consultants and #lobbyists from the biotech and chemical industries 🚨 Founders of "Initiative Transparente Demokratie" work for or have worked for #Bayer #CEFIC + biotech and #tobacco industry ⚠️
- Had a gr8 visit to Seán O’Farrell’s farm in Cloncannon, Co Tipp. Organic sucklers, pigs, broilers, veg, eco-tourism, school visits, respite for office ppl, species rich meadows, wet grassland, woodland, pond; Seán offers so much on his gorgeous farm. #farmfornature
- Reposted by Oonagh DugganWe are tired of hearing the same old Cormorant-diss track😡 Today, at the Conference on 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘴, we heard the same blame-game song lines we have been hearing since the 70ies. #Cormorants were blamed for fish stock decline instead of the real culprits
- Reposted by Oonagh Duggan🌱 Nature is not the bottleneck. In a joint letter to @ec.europa.eu's Dan Jorgensen, we stated a simple message: speed up #renewables, but don’t weaken environmental laws. ⚡It is possible to protect biodiversity while shifting to a renewable future! Our letter: www.birdlife.org/news/2025/06...
