Introduction

BirdWatch Galway is the Galway City and County branch of BirdWatch Ireland. Once known as the Irish Wildbird Conservancy (IWC), BirdWatch Ireland is the Irish partner of Birdlife International. BirdWatch Ireland is the largest and most active voluntary conservation organisation in Ireland. Established in 1968, it has over 10,000 active members and more than 20 branches nationwide. Its primary interest is the conservation of wild birds and their habitats in Ireland.

BirdWatch Ireland is the leading voluntary conservation organisation in Ireland, devoted to the conservation and protection of Ireland`s birds and their habitats. We are a registered charity [No. 5703] with more than 10,000 members and supporters and have 20 branches nationwide.

BirdWatch Ireland is an independent body with clear aims and objectives devoted to the conservation and protection of Ireland`s wild birds and their habitats. Research, surveys and conservation projects aimed at threatened birds and their habitats form the basis of BWIs conservation policies. Surveys are carried out on a voluntary basis by our members or on a professional basis with government agencies and other conservation and non-government organisations [NGOs].

Development of policies and lobbying for their implementation also form important aspects for BWI`s work. Our aims is to ensure that sites of national and international importance for birds are managed to maximise their nature conservation potential and ensure that Ireland`s responsibilities under the various EU directives [EU Habitat Directive, EU Birds Directive, EU Water Framework Directive] are fulfilled. Also to ensure that such directives are transposed in Irish law and successfully implemented and enforced, along with other national legislative acts [e.g. Wildlife Act 2002 Amended] and International Obligations such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, signed in Rio by the Irish Government in 1992.

BirdWatch Ireland owns or manages an increasing number of reserves which protect threatened habitats for birds. Among the best known are the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, Little Skellig and Bullock Island on the Shannon Callows.

The key aims of BirdWatch Ireland are:

* Maintain and, where possible, improve the conservation status of all Irish bird species.
* Prevent the extinction of any Irish bird species in the wild.
* Conserve, and where appropriate, improve and enlarge sites and habitats important for birds.
* Help through birds, to conserve biodiversity [other wildlife] and thereby improve the quality of people`s lives.
* Integrate nature conservation with sustainable development.
* Educate and promote awareness of our birdlife and habitats.