Obituary: Steve Wing, passionate and engaging ornithologist who was director of the observatory at Cape Clear

“Birdwatcher” Wing used humor and wit to impart his knowledge to the thousands of students and visitors to Cape Clear Island over the years.

“There is no such thing as a seagull,” was one of his first pieces of advice to those attending the Birdwatch Ireland courses he runs with colleagues at the observatory.

He was born in Bradfield, Berkshire, in February 1957, one of a family of three boys. He attended Bradfield primary school and completed his education at Bideford Grammar School.

One of his brothers, considered the smartest in the family, recalled that he often read Latin while walking to catch the school bus. He was a passionate Liverpool football supporter, hitchhiking to their matches and had a lifelong interest in sport.

Provided ‘an excellent link between islanders and visiting bird watchers’

His first job was in the tax office, then he worked in the payroll office at Appledore Shipyard in Devon and moved into construction work. It would change his life when he applied for a nine-month study scheme on Lundy Island off the coast of Devon.

During his several visits there, he met his partner, Mary Gade. Their Lundy Bird Observatory journal report included the common finding of an American Robin.​

When Wing returned to work in construction, he received a call from his close friend, scientist Geoff Oliver, saying that the Cape Clear observatory was looking for a manager.

In March 1998, he took the first of the 13 km ferry trip from Baltimore and then moved there permanently with Mary. The observatory building required some work and he used his skills for extensive renovations.

“Steve diligently carried out his duties as warden, everything from the domestic running of the observatory to taking walks around the island and counting birds, running weekend courses, stealing birds and tirelessly filling in diary entries,” his close friend Dick Coombes recalled. at his funeral.

Coombes said her amiable nature provided a “perfect bond between islanders and birdwatchers” and he and Mary became immersed in island life.

Wing worked as the observatory manager until 2012, and the couple later ran Cotters’ bar, where their weekly “Thai night” dinners are legendary.

The couple went to hospital many times after Mary became ill and she passed away in Devon in May 2018.

His smiling, bearded face on the dock was often a visitor’s first introduction to the island.

Wing continued his duties at the observatory in his new title as wildlife officer and worked to complete a book published four years ago: Natural History of Cape Clear 1959-2019With contributions from experts on island history, marine and wildlife.

As he explains, many migratory species, both winged and finned, make their way to the island, which has its own microclimate.

The light from the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse is said to be one of the reasons why rare birds sometimes land on the “beak” of Cape Clear and the western marsh as well.

During his stay on the island he recorded some very rare birds including the Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and Short-toed Lark.

He recorded Ireland’s first Chimney Swift and saw a Black Kite a few months ago; only the latter has been recorded on the island.

As an educator, he would spend happy hours with his students explaining the biology of fragile little birds and demonstrating ringing techniques.

His smiling, bearded face on the dock was often a visitor’s first entry to the island, and he would be on the dock to welcome course participants back.

Cape Clear resident Michael John Cadogan described Wing as “a great ambassador for the Cape” and said “he is a great loss to us and the birding community in Ireland and beyond”.

“Both Steve and Mary were islanders. They came to us from Lundy and have been part of the community on the Cape for 25 years,” Cadogan said.

In his eulogy to mourners, Coombes said Wing once told someone he wanted to come back as an ox in his next life.

“For those who don’t know, that’s a black crow with a red beak and red legs that you see flailing around on the cliffs at the Cape,” he said, adding: “We’ll be keeping an eye out for you, Steve.”

Steve Wing was predeceased by his partner, Mary Gade, and is survived by family and friends.