Seán Ronayne – Every Song: my journey to record all of Ireland’s birds

Seán Ronayne is an ornithologist, wildlife sound recordist, and environmental activist hailing from Cork, Ireland. With degrees in Zoology, Marine Biology, and Ecological Impact Assessment from University College Cork (UCC), Seán’s lifelong passion for nature was instilled by his parents and flourished into a professional career studying birds and their vocalisations.

In Barcelona, Seán embraced a new avian soundscape, sparking his venture into sound recording. Upon returning to Ireland in 2021, he embarked on a mission to document the vocalisations of every Irish bird species, a daunting task revealing the precarious state of Irish ecology. With 63% of its birds at risk of extinction and minimal native woodland, Seán utilises his recordings and narratives to advocate for nature’s preservation, sharing the beauty and urgency of Irish biodiversity. His portfolio boasts over 11,000 recordings encompassing 194 Irish bird species, alongside engagements with documentary crews and parliamentary presentations, amplifying his conservation message nationwide.

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