Brian Burke
@bburke88.bsky.social
Seabird Scientist for Birdwatch Ireland, with a particular interest in Terns and Gulls. S-permit bird ringer.
Wicklow/Roscommon.
Wicklow/Roscommon.
Pinned
Brian Burke
@bburke88.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Devastating Bird Flu impacts on Irish seabirds revealed in new study - BirdWatch Ireland
A new study has revealed the devastating toll of the 2023 bird flu outbreak on Ireland’s tern species at their most important colonies.
birdwatchireland.ie
An overview of the impact of HPAI H5N1 on the breeding Terns on the east coast of ROI in 2023 and 2024. Full case study published in #BirdStudy
In short, very bad for Common Terns, bad for Arctics and Sandwich, surprisingly minimal impact on Roseates overall.
birdwatchireland.ie/devastating-...
In short, very bad for Common Terns, bad for Arctics and Sandwich, surprisingly minimal impact on Roseates overall.
birdwatchireland.ie/devastating-...
Reposted by Brian Burke
Want to take part in the Irish Garden Bird Survey this winter? You can download your survey form at birdwatchireland.ie/app/uploads/...
birdwatchireland.ie
December 11, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Want to take part in the Irish Garden Bird Survey this winter? You can download your survey form at birdwatchireland.ie/app/uploads/...
Reposted by Brian Burke
With our Irish Garden Bird Survey now well into its second week, we thought you might like to know some of the collective nouns used to describe flocks of our feathered friends: birdwatchireland.ie/collective-n...
Collective Nouns for Garden Birds - BirdWatch Ireland
We say 'flock' to describe multiples of birds, but there are much more interesting and poetic descriptions out there - see here for more!
birdwatchireland.ie
December 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
With our Irish Garden Bird Survey now well into its second week, we thought you might like to know some of the collective nouns used to describe flocks of our feathered friends: birdwatchireland.ie/collective-n...
Reposted by Brian Burke
“Simplification” sounds harmless - until you realise its a Trojan horse to weaken critical environmental laws that protect our air, water and Nature itself.
These laws protect you. Let’s protect them back.
Tell EU leaders: #HandsOffNature
@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu
These laws protect you. Let’s protect them back.
Tell EU leaders: #HandsOffNature
@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu
December 8, 2025 at 10:17 AM
“Simplification” sounds harmless - until you realise its a Trojan horse to weaken critical environmental laws that protect our air, water and Nature itself.
These laws protect you. Let’s protect them back.
Tell EU leaders: #HandsOffNature
@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu
These laws protect you. Let’s protect them back.
Tell EU leaders: #HandsOffNature
@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu
Reposted by Brian Burke
Good on Penn Jillette. Having to come to terms with your entire political identity and philosophy being wrong is not easy and most people could never do it.
December 7, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Good on Penn Jillette. Having to come to terms with your entire political identity and philosophy being wrong is not easy and most people could never do it.
Reposted by Brian Burke
EU decision-makers are on a mission to roll back vital nature laws
Our response to that? #HandsOffNature
Environmental laws need to be enforced not weakened @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu
Read more here 👉 wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eu...
Our response to that? #HandsOffNature
Environmental laws need to be enforced not weakened @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu
Read more here 👉 wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eu...
December 8, 2025 at 10:13 AM
EU decision-makers are on a mission to roll back vital nature laws
Our response to that? #HandsOffNature
Environmental laws need to be enforced not weakened @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu
Read more here 👉 wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eu...
Our response to that? #HandsOffNature
Environmental laws need to be enforced not weakened @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu
Read more here 👉 wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/eu...
Reposted by Brian Burke
What excuse do the other countries have for delaying nature restoartion?
Mindblowing and inspiring that Ukraine has managed to continue its dam removal efforts in spite of everything.
freshwaterblog.net/2025/11/04/u...
freshwaterblog.net/2025/11/04/u...
Ukrainian river restoration project during wartime wins major award
The Bilyi River after the removal of an obsolete dam. Image: Danube-Carpathian Programme Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has brought death and destruction not only to towns and cities, but als…
freshwaterblog.net
November 29, 2025 at 8:25 PM
What excuse do the other countries have for delaying nature restoartion?
Reposted by Brian Burke
Don’t give people shit for putting up their Christmas decorations ‘early’. For some, Christmas is like a pension you pay into all year until you get to enjoy it in December. And if it’s been a tough year for someone and they want to ‘cash in’ a little early, leave them be.
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Don’t give people shit for putting up their Christmas decorations ‘early’. For some, Christmas is like a pension you pay into all year until you get to enjoy it in December. And if it’s been a tough year for someone and they want to ‘cash in’ a little early, leave them be.
Reposted by Brian Burke
Seeing how much of the right-wing on Twitter is just bot farms, kinda lays bare how much hate and hatred is a project that needs to be constantly maintained, a fire that needs to be fed all the time lest it go out for a moment, so much time, effort, and resources to keep people angry and hateful.
November 24, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Seeing how much of the right-wing on Twitter is just bot farms, kinda lays bare how much hate and hatred is a project that needs to be constantly maintained, a fire that needs to be fed all the time lest it go out for a moment, so much time, effort, and resources to keep people angry and hateful.
Reposted by Brian Burke
“Eoin Dorgan, asst sec at Dept of Public Expenditure Dorgan said Ireland needs to apply Tony Blair’s motto “tough on crime, tough on causes of crime” to the ongoing issue around legal objections”
..citizens ensuring that decisions are lawful are not criminals
www.businesspost.ie/politics/sen...
..citizens ensuring that decisions are lawful are not criminals
www.businesspost.ie/politics/sen...
Senior official says public given too many opportunities to object to infrastructure plans
www.businesspost.ie
November 21, 2025 at 8:08 AM
“Eoin Dorgan, asst sec at Dept of Public Expenditure Dorgan said Ireland needs to apply Tony Blair’s motto “tough on crime, tough on causes of crime” to the ongoing issue around legal objections”
..citizens ensuring that decisions are lawful are not criminals
www.businesspost.ie/politics/sen...
..citizens ensuring that decisions are lawful are not criminals
www.businesspost.ie/politics/sen...
Reposted by Brian Burke
Worker’s rights getting rolled back. Environmental protections getting torn up. Financial regulation getting loosened. Data privacy laws getting sacrificed to the AI Gods. Access to Justice being undermined. Capitalism isn’t in crisis. Capitalism is the crisis.
“Eoin Dorgan, asst sec at Dept of Public Expenditure Dorgan said Ireland needs to apply Tony Blair’s motto “tough on crime, tough on causes of crime” to the ongoing issue around legal objections”
..citizens ensuring that decisions are lawful are not criminals
www.businesspost.ie/politics/sen...
..citizens ensuring that decisions are lawful are not criminals
www.businesspost.ie/politics/sen...
Senior official says public given too many opportunities to object to infrastructure plans
www.businesspost.ie
November 21, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Worker’s rights getting rolled back. Environmental protections getting torn up. Financial regulation getting loosened. Data privacy laws getting sacrificed to the AI Gods. Access to Justice being undermined. Capitalism isn’t in crisis. Capitalism is the crisis.
Reposted by Brian Burke
We're now starting to get reports of dead Whooper Swans with rings. If you find a dead bird & feel comfortable doing so - check for rings using the below @btobirds.bsky.social advice 👇🏻 Collecting information on ringed birds helps better understand the impact on different age groups.
November 7, 2025 at 9:46 PM
We're now starting to get reports of dead Whooper Swans with rings. If you find a dead bird & feel comfortable doing so - check for rings using the below @btobirds.bsky.social advice 👇🏻 Collecting information on ringed birds helps better understand the impact on different age groups.
Reposted by Brian Burke
Reminder: 99% of people have no actual use for an SUV.
November 16, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Reminder: 99% of people have no actual use for an SUV.
Reposted by Brian Burke
HEY! YOU! IMPORTANT GULL NEWS! www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Worth a shout? Yelling is best way to deter gulls, UK study suggests
Animal behaviourists tested 61 gulls in Cornwall to find most effective method of countering feathery threat
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:39 AM
HEY! YOU! IMPORTANT GULL NEWS! www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Brian Burke
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
Reposted by Brian Burke
What bothers me is that impartiality and balance are two different and incompatible things. Impartiality means that you don't intervene to put your thumb on the scales. Balance necessarily requires that you intervene to artificially make every issue look like a 50/50.
November 10, 2025 at 10:49 AM
What bothers me is that impartiality and balance are two different and incompatible things. Impartiality means that you don't intervene to put your thumb on the scales. Balance necessarily requires that you intervene to artificially make every issue look like a 50/50.
Reposted by Brian Burke
'Hijacked'? 'Pushing an agenda'? It's called EU law, namely the Habitats Directive, it's been in place for decades, & like most laws Ireland is failing to do that well, while our biodiversity pays the price.
So, yes, eNGOs are pushing it. Unapologetically.
www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/wa...
So, yes, eNGOs are pushing it. Unapologetically.
www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/wa...
November 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
'Hijacked'? 'Pushing an agenda'? It's called EU law, namely the Habitats Directive, it's been in place for decades, & like most laws Ireland is failing to do that well, while our biodiversity pays the price.
So, yes, eNGOs are pushing it. Unapologetically.
www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/wa...
So, yes, eNGOs are pushing it. Unapologetically.
www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/wa...
Reposted by Brian Burke
The idea that Ireland has ever "gold plated" the transposition of EU Environmental law, is causing a lot of people in my world to chortle manically.
November 3, 2025 at 7:27 AM
The idea that Ireland has ever "gold plated" the transposition of EU Environmental law, is causing a lot of people in my world to chortle manically.
Reposted by Brian Burke
There is a co-ordinated attack underway on access to justice & environmental democracy, with the Irish public being bombarded daily with anti-judicial review messaging from all sides.
This is to soften up the public before their right to access justice is removed- it's manufacturing consent.
This is to soften up the public before their right to access justice is removed- it's manufacturing consent.
Despite the click-bait headline my contribution has been accurately reported in this piece by @eithnedodd.bsky.social unfortunately on the industry side the wool has been pulled over her eyes by the usual self-serving rhetoric
By way of followup a short 🧵
By way of followup a short 🧵
The rate of judicial review in Ireland is "off the charts," the Director of Housing and Planning at the Construction Industry Federation has said
November 5, 2025 at 10:04 AM
There is a co-ordinated attack underway on access to justice & environmental democracy, with the Irish public being bombarded daily with anti-judicial review messaging from all sides.
This is to soften up the public before their right to access justice is removed- it's manufacturing consent.
This is to soften up the public before their right to access justice is removed- it's manufacturing consent.
Reposted by Brian Burke
79% of homes sold in Dublin this year were bought by landlords, 75% by large landlords. About 1 in 5 TDs are landlords.
This is disgusting dog whistling. The problem has never been people seeking asylum. The problem is people seeking to endlessly profit from folks just looking for a home.
This is disgusting dog whistling. The problem has never been people seeking asylum. The problem is people seeking to endlessly profit from folks just looking for a home.
🗣️ "The one thing that there is a problem with is housing right across the state, and the more that come to seek asylum, the more pressure it puts on that system.” - Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley
#TonightVMTV
#TonightVMTV
November 5, 2025 at 8:28 AM
79% of homes sold in Dublin this year were bought by landlords, 75% by large landlords. About 1 in 5 TDs are landlords.
This is disgusting dog whistling. The problem has never been people seeking asylum. The problem is people seeking to endlessly profit from folks just looking for a home.
This is disgusting dog whistling. The problem has never been people seeking asylum. The problem is people seeking to endlessly profit from folks just looking for a home.
Reposted by Brian Burke
Just a reminder that as of end of 2024 there are 104,327 landlords in Ireland.
Or 2.3% of the adult population. There are 33% of adults renting.
So someone explain to me why political parties tiptoe around landlords so much? Beyond the fact 20% of the Dail are landlords themselves #speirgorm
Or 2.3% of the adult population. There are 33% of adults renting.
So someone explain to me why political parties tiptoe around landlords so much? Beyond the fact 20% of the Dail are landlords themselves #speirgorm
Guess which of us didn't vote for this #SpéirGorm #housingcrisis
November 5, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Just a reminder that as of end of 2024 there are 104,327 landlords in Ireland.
Or 2.3% of the adult population. There are 33% of adults renting.
So someone explain to me why political parties tiptoe around landlords so much? Beyond the fact 20% of the Dail are landlords themselves #speirgorm
Or 2.3% of the adult population. There are 33% of adults renting.
So someone explain to me why political parties tiptoe around landlords so much? Beyond the fact 20% of the Dail are landlords themselves #speirgorm
Reposted by Brian Burke
April: If we don’t get Housing right in seven months, we’re screwed.
November: Housing crisis here until 2040.
November: Housing crisis here until 2040.
November 4, 2025 at 4:55 PM
April: If we don’t get Housing right in seven months, we’re screwed.
November: Housing crisis here until 2040.
November: Housing crisis here until 2040.
Reposted by Brian Burke
Only two years ago the European Court of Justice ruled that Ireland hadn't implemented the EU Habitats Directive while a number of other cases are outstanding.
It's hilarious to think that there's anything 'gold plated' about our environmental regulations!
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
It's hilarious to think that there's anything 'gold plated' about our environmental regulations!
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
Micheál Martin says house building in Ireland is hampered by 'gold-plating' of EU rules
Taoiseach says 'going beyond what is required' is slowing down delivery of housing and other big projects in Ireland
www.irishexaminer.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Only two years ago the European Court of Justice ruled that Ireland hadn't implemented the EU Habitats Directive while a number of other cases are outstanding.
It's hilarious to think that there's anything 'gold plated' about our environmental regulations!
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
It's hilarious to think that there's anything 'gold plated' about our environmental regulations!
www.irishexaminer.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Brian Burke
“If this was, as Harris framed it, a referendum on Ireland’s proud history of better-things-aren’t-possible centrism, then surely he must accept that his conceptualisation of Ireland is actually… wrong.”
This week’s column is about how FG and FF have responded to the election results.
This week’s column is about how FG and FF have responded to the election results.
Surrealing in the Years: Sorry Simon, maybe Ireland doesn't want to be a 'centrist' country
Hey, I didn’t make the rules.
jrnl.ie
November 1, 2025 at 9:09 AM
“If this was, as Harris framed it, a referendum on Ireland’s proud history of better-things-aren’t-possible centrism, then surely he must accept that his conceptualisation of Ireland is actually… wrong.”
This week’s column is about how FG and FF have responded to the election results.
This week’s column is about how FG and FF have responded to the election results.
Avian Flu is on the rise again and it's important we know where, when and what species are affected, so make sure to report any dead birds via the links below! @birdwatchireland.bsky.social
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
October 30, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Avian Flu is on the rise again and it's important we know where, when and what species are affected, so make sure to report any dead birds via the links below! @birdwatchireland.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian Burke
With HPAI bird flu resurging in UK and Western Europe, here's the link to the 2 recent special issues of #BirdStudy on avian influenza: 20 papers on impacts, mitigation, patterns and control. Part 1/2:
#ornithology #seabirds #raptors #birdflu
#ornithology #seabirds #raptors #birdflu
Special Issue of #BirdStudy is now published:
The impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on birds: part 1
10 papers (5 #OpenAccess) plus Editorial on the impacts of #birdflu #HPAI outbreak in Europe, Canada, Antarctica: www.tandfonline.com/toc/tbis20/7...
#ornithology #ukbirding #seabirds
The impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on birds: part 1
10 papers (5 #OpenAccess) plus Editorial on the impacts of #birdflu #HPAI outbreak in Europe, Canada, Antarctica: www.tandfonline.com/toc/tbis20/7...
#ornithology #ukbirding #seabirds
October 30, 2025 at 2:25 PM
With HPAI bird flu resurging in UK and Western Europe, here's the link to the 2 recent special issues of #BirdStudy on avian influenza: 20 papers on impacts, mitigation, patterns and control. Part 1/2:
#ornithology #seabirds #raptors #birdflu
#ornithology #seabirds #raptors #birdflu