Protected species Ireland

The Wildlife Acts, 1976 and 2000 provide for the protection of all wild birds and their nests, eggs and young throughout the state. The exemptions are the "pest" species listed in the third schedule to the Wildlife Act 1976. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Birds Directive. Under these acts it is an offence to intentionally disturb any of these species during the breeding season. There was no specific need to visit nests (of these or any species) for the Atlas, as proof of breeding can be documented in other ways (e.g. from observations of adults carrying food or faeces).



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