The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is currently seeking an expert to help with the conservation of wild birds.

The service is inviting tenders to provide "expert field support" to the NPWS Birds Unit's monitoring and research programmes.

The birds unit is responsible for the providing scientific advice on the conservation management of Ireland’s wild bird populations.

The survey, monitoring and research of these birds also forms a core part of unit’s brief in order to meet reporting and other obligations under the EU Birds Directive.

Wild birds

Over the decades, the NPWS Birds Unit has worked with many third level research organisations on projects, primarily in the field of conservation management.

According to the tender documents, the 2026 work programme includes the planned catching and attaching of telemetry devices to a range of study species including corncrake, Greenland white-fronted goose, and whooper swan.

There will also be ringing of target bird species including puffin, chough, storm petrel, and curlew.

The NPWS said it is seeking "a suitably qualified and experienced individual" to lead missions to catch target individuals across a range of wild bird species.

The estimated number of days of work required is expected to be 39 in total across the period of May to December 2026 inclusive, with the majority of this being field work.

The locations of work will also vary to both mainland and offshore sites across the country.

Applicants are being asked to set out their relevant qualifications and experience when submitting a tender.

The closing date for tenders is 12:00p.m on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The NPWS said the contract is anticipated to start on April 20, 2026.