News
Wild Bird Declarations for 2026 Come Into Effect on 1 January 2026
Date Released: Wednesday, December 24, 2025
On the 11 December 2025, the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity signed two Declarations – a General Wild Bird Declaration, and an Air Safety Wild Bird Declaration. These will run for a period of 12 months, from 1 January to 31 December 2026.
The Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) on the conservation of wild birds is implemented in Ireland, inter alia, under the Wildlife Acts 1976 (as amended). Under the terms of the Directive, all Member States of the European Union are bound to take measures to protect all wild birds and their habitats.
Under Article 9(a), Member States may derogate in the interests of public health and safety; air safety; to prevent serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water; and for the protection of flora and fauna.
Details of the Declarations can be found here.
EU reporting requirements under the Birds Directive require annual returns. The requirements also place an obligation on any individual that carries out any activity in the State under these Declarations to provide details of such activity. Reporting forms can be found on the NPWS website here.