Dublin Port and BirdWatch Ireland’s work to protect migratory seabirds features in Global Flyways series

5 November 2026

Dublin Port and BirdWatch Ireland feature in Global Flyways, a new digital film series created by BirdLife International in partnership with Content With Purpose (CWP), that explores the extraordinary journeys of migratory birds and the people working to protect them.  BirdWatch Ireland is Ireland’s BirdLife International Partner and largest wildlife conservation NGO.  It conducts a wide range of survey, education, outreach, policy, and species protection work across Ireland. 

The series follows the flyways that connect countries, continents and ecosystems, bringing together stories of the conservationists, communities, researchers and organisations working to safeguard migratory birds along their journeys.  The Dublin story brings that global journey to Dublin Bay, showing how conservation and the operation of a busy working port can exist side by side. 

Each year, Common and Arctic Terns return from Africa and Antarctica to breed in Dublin Bay.  Through a long-standing collaboration, BirdWatch Ireland and Dublin Port have worked together to support these migratory seabirds by providing suitable nesting habitats alongside the day-to-day operations of the port.  

Old mooring platforms modified to support breeding terns, as well as new nesting pontoons, provide dedicated space for terns during the breeding season, supported by BirdWatch Ireland’s ongoing monitoring and conservation expertise.  This long-term approach is a practical example of the local conservation work highlighted through the Global Flyways series. 

Helen Boland, Dublin Bay Birds Project Manager, BirdWatch Ireland, said: “Protecting the original colony as well as providing additional suitable nesting habitats is an form an important part of supporting the Common and Arctic Terns that return to Dublin Bay each year. Our collaboration with Dublin Port brings together practical measures, such as managing the nesting  pontoonplatforms, with ongoing monitoring to help support these migratory seabirds during the breeding season.” 

Eamon McElroy, Port Engineer at Dublin Port, said: “At Dublin Port, we are committed to helping protect the migratory birds that depend on Dublin Bay. Working with BirdWatch Ireland to provide nesting pontoons is one practical way we can support these birds alongside the Port’s day-to-day operations. We want to ensure that the Port continues to provide a place where they can return to nest and raise their young.” 

Through Global Flyways, the work of BirdWatch Ireland and Dublin Port forms part of a much wider international effort to protect migratory birds and the habitats they depend on throughout their journeys. It demonstrates how local conservation action, sustained over time, can play a part in protecting species whose journeys extend far beyond Ireland. 

Watch the film and explore the Global Flyways series here: BirdWatch Ireland | Dublin Port – BirdLife