Outing to Dundalk Bay Sunday 27th November

Our next branch outing will take place on Sunday 27^th November to Dundalk Bay. We will be joined by Breffni Martin of the Louth branch. The outing is timed to coincide with a high tide and will last approximately 2 hours. We hope to see a good variety of waders and other waterbirds as this location is a very important wintering area for many species including the black-tailed godwit (see above picture). We will visit Lurgangreen and go south to Annagassin and Salterstown. Meet at the Fairways Hotel Car park at 12 midday or if you are travelling via Bailieborough and wish to car share, meet  in the Market Square at 11am sharp.

Packed lunch and waterproof clothing and footwear recommended.

Outing to Inch Reserve, Co. Donegal

Report by Elizabeth

A joint outing with the Donegal branch of Birdwatch Ireland to Inch Lough and Levels, Lough Swilly, was held on 29^th October. After meeting up at 10am we enjoyed a short time on the reserve’s viewing platform watching swans and geese in the lough and its surroundings. Fortunately we made it to the hide as the weather began to turn and were able to enjoy a very pleasant couple of hours in the shelter of the hide watching a great variety of birds. The calls of large numbers of whooper swans which had recently arrived from Iceland greatly added to the atmosphere. Greylag and Canada geese were also present in the estuary, as were a large variety of ducks including shoveler and gadwall. Other sightings included curlew sandpiper, ruff and lapwing. By early afternoon the weather began to clear and the sun came out for a short while, allowing those of us still at the reserve to enjoy some good birding before reluctantly heading home! A big thank you to Ralph Sheppard and the Donegal Branch for their good company and help on the day.  All those who travelled up from Cavan thoroughly enjoyed our visit and were very impressed with Inch reserve and the variety of birds to be found there.

Birdwatch Ireland joint Donegal and Cavan Branch outing

 A Joint outing with the Donegal Branch will take place on Saturday 29^th October to Inch Lough and Levels, Buncrana,Lough Swilly,Co Donegal. We hope to see a great variety of water-birds including annual spectacle of newly-arrived flocks of migrant geese and swans.

 Meet at 10:00am at the Reserve car park beside the embankment. This is reached by turning left at Burt Church when coming from Letterkenny. Then,keep straight when the main Road curves right and this narrow road will lead you to the reserve car park

If you are travelling up on the day from Co. Cavan please email elizmckenna@eircom.net with your contact details in advance in case of any last minute changes.

Warm waterproof clothing recommended. You may bring a packed lunch if you wish and there is also a hotel and filling station close by with catering facilities.

Branch contacts details and information on upcoming events  can be found here. http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Default.aspx?tabid=284

Presentation By Niall Hatch in Virginia

Report by Elizabeth

“The Waterbirds of County Cavan”, a talk by Niall Hatch, was held in the Riverfront Hotel Virginia on 4^th October. There was a good turnout for this very informative talk where we learned many interesting facts about water-birds. Niall spoke of the conservation efforts of Birdwatch Ireland to protect the breeding sites of roseate and little terns but reminded us how important it is that these birds are also protected in their wintering grounds in Africa. He spoke of the importance of Ireland also as a wintering site for many species of waterfowl, in particular the slobs in Wexford which holds a large percentage of the population of Greenland White-fronted geese during the winter months.  It was also interesting to hear how some species such as the little egret have begun to breed in Ireland whereas the breeding populations of curlews has crashed in recent years, sadly leaving them at risk of being lost as a breeding species here. Clink on the following link to learn more about Birdwatch Irelands appeal to save this bird here.http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Ourwork/CryoftheCurlewAppeal/tabid/1106/Default.aspx

 We would like to say thank you to Niall for visiting the branch and for a really interesting presentation.

"The Water-birds of Co. Cavan"

Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland will give an illustrated talk on the waterbirds of Co. Cavan in the Riverfront Hotel, Virginia at 8pm on Tuesday 4^th October.

 This talk will be of interest to anyone who would like to learn more about the various wildfowl and other waterbirds that visit our county in the winter months and are encountered when out and about. Niall is a regular contributor to the Mooney show on RTE and the Morning Show on TV3. His previous talks to the branch were a great success and we look forward to his return. All welcome to attend!

Heritage week outing to Templeport Lake

Report by Heather


To start off the autumn season the branch visited Templeport lake, Bawnboy Co. Cavan on Sunday the 28th August. The lake shore has a good range of habitat with reed beds, marsh area, mature woodland and river.  There are a number of small lakes in the area which carry a range of water fowl and are counted in the winter for the Irish wetland bird survey as the "east Ballinamore lakes". In the winter, whooper swans can number about 100 and widgeon 200. We were blessed with a good day and a very pleasant, interesting walk along the lake. The lake
didn't have large number of water birds to see as would be expected at this time of year, but we did see great crested grebe and young and a group of mute swans. The outing was well supported by locals from the Templeport area and the Development association, and we were made very welcome. It is certainly an area worth dropping in to over the winter and spring to see what is about.

To view photos visit the Bawnboy webpage here