Hungary election live: Viktor Orbán concedes defeat in Hungarian election after 16 years in power Long-serving prime minister beaten by opposition after early results showed clear lead

Some good news finally. Orban is out. www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

From Green Deal to Mean Deal.

We recently welcomed our new Tory Island Warden, Kyle Coughlan. Kyle is working on the PeacePlus Nature project and will be working to help safeguard breeding waders on the island.

PeacePlus Nature a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Ireland’s skylarks were disappearing but this simple solution could bring their song back A new project will involve skylark plots on farms along the south coast from Kinsale to Wexford

Skylarks and at least one project hoping to help in the south
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...

Nature Restoration Plan Farmers and environmentalists have agreed an ambitious plan to restore nature. The only open question now is will government give it the funding it needs.

If you missed Countrywide, I recommend a listen back. Was superb esp this piece where @philipb-h.bsky.social started w/community feedback on nature & interviews w/3 members of the Independent Committee on the Nature Restoration Plan abt their recommendations to govt. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Substantial fine but not max of €250k which shd have been imposed for flagrant breach of law & destruction of hedgerows. Coolmore statement that they werent aware of EIA regs doesnt hold water.Every beneficiary of CAP money receives a booklet with all the regs.

www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/co...

Up to 45 jobs at risk at Kilkenny carrot producer Up to 45 jobs are understood to be at risk at one of the country's major carrot producers.

Another Irish vegetable grower biting the dust. Absolutely terrible news for food security but worse of course for those directly impacted in the business and jobs. www.rte.ie/news/regiona...

Environmental groups seek High Court review of fossil-fuel allowances for data centres Case is being taken against the energy regulator which gave go-ahead to new data centres last December

Case taken by @foeireland.bsky.social @clientearth.bsky.social & Friends of the Irish Environment against energy regulator over new data centre policy
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...

Minister explains how revenue from carbon tax is being used The Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers has said that in 2025, €951 million was allocated from carbon tax revenues.

Irish Farmer's Assoc want suspension of carbon tax but this tax funds a good chunk of agri-envt scheme funding. Where will that money come from otherwise? www.agriland.ie/farming-news...

Costa Rica gets back to nature after decades of deforestation Paying farmers to swap cattle for conservation has helped sway the balance in biodiversity’s favour

In Science & Climate in @irishtimes.com, @thinkorswim.bsky.social finds la pura vida in Costa Rica.....
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...

‘Veggie burgers’ are here to stay. Lab-grown ‘steaks’ never will be. A compromise that cleared the path for plant-based burgers, but banned other meaty terms, resolved a bitter food fight that pit traditional diets against food innovation.

Burger, sausage, and nuggets are fine for plant-based products, but drumstick isn’t—even though the word originally had nothing to do with food. So are drummers supposed to play with chicken legs now?
www.politico.eu/article/vegg...

Where the Seabirds Go - Important areas for seabirds in Ireland.

A webinar on Tues March 10th at 19.30 on Ireland's seabirds and how BirdWatch Ireland and BirdLife International identified Ireland's 75 Important Bird Areas for Seabirds. Registration essential -> bit.ly/4l0ZoZ2

Biodiversity is not evenly distributed around the planet. In Ireland, 75 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) for seabirds have been identified.

Where are these hidden hotspots? Tune into our webinar on March 10th to learn where our seabirds go and why these places matter: bit.ly/4l0ZoZ2

Hands Off Nature - BirdWatch Ireland Oonagh Duggan, Head of Policy and Advocacy, shares a policy update and discusses Hands Off Nature campaign.

EU-level environmental policies impact both our human and wildlife communities, so it's crucial to know what's happening. To help, Oonagh recently shared updates on several EU policies and directives, and how to join Hands Off Nature: birdwatchireland.ie/hands-off-na...

TOLKA BRANCH Birdwatch Ireland - Monthly Talk on Wed. 18th Feb. 2026 @ 7:45PM in the Botanic Gardens Teagasc Building in Glasnevin, Dublin is "Swifts" by Tara Adcock. The car park will be open & free. #irishbirding #birds @birdwatchireland.bsky.social @naturenymph.bsky.social @fingal.ie

And just to be clear, EU laws are being dismantled to profit a very small group of companies and commercial interests. The vast majority of businesses, just like citizens will lose out.

This is great. Well done @greenpeace.eu and @bigdirtyfry.bsky.social

Not that Im aware of. Sorry for late reply. Definitely not common anyway.

A 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.

Doubt very much if that's legal. Were they huntable spp? Was it at the correct time of yr if huntable? What means did they use? Lots of questions.

🆕 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

Welt 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/...

yep Im sure it's telling others to steer clear!

BBC Radio 4 - The Food Programme, Why Is Africa Feeding Us? Dan Saladino investigates our growing dependence on West Africa for fresh produce.

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...

@downdogdublin.bsky.social @irishenvnet.bsky.social pls reshare

We 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...