Outing to Inch Reserve,Co Donegal on Sunday 10th November

whooper swan 

An outing to Donegal to visit Inch Reserve and Blanket Nook will take place on Sunday 10th November. At this time of the year large numbers of whooper swans are present, having just completed the journey from their breeding grounds in Iceland to Inch. November is one of the nicest times of the year to visit the reserve as the calling swans and geese make for a very atmospheric scene. We will also visit Blanket Nook which is another good location for viewing geese and waders.

Meet at 10.30am at the Reserve car park.This is reached by turning left at Burt Church when coming from Letterkenny. keep straight  and follow the narrow road to the reserve car park. If you wish to car share from Bailieborough or need more information please email elizmckenna@eircom.net in advance of the outing.

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

For lots more information of Inch Lough Reserve,visit the following link http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/travel/inside-ireland/walk-of-the-week-inch-wildfowl-reserve-co-donegal-26766078.html

To visit the BirdWatch Ireland website click here

Upcoming Event: Tuesday 26th November

"Feeding Garden Birds", a presentation by Jamie Durrant of Birdwatch Ireland, will take place in the Cavan County Museum, Ballyjamesduff at 8pm.

Dundalk Bay Sunday 6th October

Brent Geese by Michael Mc Nulty

A branch outing to Dundalk Bay took place on Sunday 6 October. Although it was quite an overcast day, the mild weather made for pleasant birding conditions. The group met up at midday and we began our outing with a trip to Lurgangreen to see the high-tide wader roost. Very large numbers of oystercatchers were present, and it was especially nice to observe a small flock of brent geese who had just returned from Arctic Canada to overwinter here.

While the tide was still high, we relocated south to Salterstown where we enjoyed close-up views of a mixed wader roost. Of particular note were the flocks of red brested mergansers on the water along with very large numbers of black headed gulls in the nearby fields.

Black-tailed godwit

As the tide started to recede we concluded the outing with a visit to Seabank, where the spectacle of large numbers of black tailed godwits flying overhead as the returned to feed made for a nice end to the day.

Outing to Dundalk Bay Sunday 6 October

Annagassan harbour one of the sites we will visit.

A car outing to Dundalk Bay will take place on Sunday next 6 October. 

If you wish to car share from Bailieborough meet at the Market Square at 11am. If you wish to meet up in Dundalk,please be at the car park of the Fairways Hotel at 12 noon.

The outing should last 2 -3 hours and we will visit a number of good birding locations south of Dundalk town.  Best to take a packed lunch, waterproofs and binoculars along with you. If you would like any further information about this event please call 086 8336675.

Beginners are very welcome to join us.

Upcoming Branch Events

Seabank, Dundalk 

Outing to Dundalk Bay: Sunday 6th October

The first outing of the season will be to Dundalk Bay on Sunday 6th October. Dundalk Bay is an internationally important site for waders and wildfowl, and is a popular location for our branch outings. Here we expect to see a good variety of species that have just returned from their Northern breeding grounds. This time of year is also a good time to look out for rarer species such as ruff, curlew sandpiper and whimbrel.

There will be an option to car share from Bailieborough or meet with the group in Dundalk. More details regarding meet-up points and times for this event will be posted closer to the date.

Outing to Inch Reserve, Donegal: Sunday 10th November

Whooper Swan at Inch Lough

An outing to Donegal to visit Inch Reserve and Blanket Nook will take place on Sunday 10th November. At this time of the year large numbers of whooper swans are present, having just completed the journey from their breeding grounds in Iceland to Inch. November is one of the nicest times of the year to visit the reserve as the calling swans and geese make for a  very atmospheric scene. We will also visit Blanket Nook which is another good location for viewing geese and waders.

More details on this event will be posted closer to the date.

Warm waterproof clothing and a packed lunch are  recommended for all outdoor events. All events suitable for beginners!

Garden Bird Presentation by Jamie Durrant (Birdwatch Ireland): Tuesday 26th November

"Feeding Garden Birds", a presentation by Jamie Durrant of Birdwatch Ireland, will take place in the Cavan County Museum, Ballyjamesduff at 8pm. 

This is always a popular topic and Jamie will have lots of good advice for those interested in helping birds survive the harsh winter months and who wish to attract a variety of different bird species to their garden.

All welcome and admission will be free!

Dawn Chorus Walk Bailieborough on Sunday 19 May

Photo Michael Mc kiernan

The group met at the Castle Lake car park at 4.30am on Sunday 19th May. Thankfully it was a pleasant dry morning. Birds such as song thrush, mistle thrush and blackbird were already singing and a few bats were having a final feed before heading to roost as we set out from the car park. 

listening to a whitethroat Photo Michael Mc kiernan

Over the course of our walk around the lake the songs of many species of bird were heard including wren, robin, chaffinch, goldcrest, blackcap, chiffchaff and willow warbler. A whitethroat was also heard in the young conifer plantation- a new record for the forest! We were also treated to brief views of a sparrowhawk.

Castle Lake 

We stopped at the lake to view the great crested grebes and to listen to the song of a

sedge warbler. There was great excitement to see that the mute swans had hatched at least 4 new cygnets! 

Enjoying an early breakfast in the forest

We finished up the morning with tea and refreshments and an added treat for all was close-up views of a treecreeper. We watched him feed as we enjoyed our tea and treats.

Thanks to everyone who brought along refreshments on the day - much appreciated!

Click here for more information on Castle lake Woods looped walk.
Click here to visit The Birdwatch Ireland website.

We will be taking a break over the summer and events wil recommence in September.

Dawn Chorus Walk Arva Sunday 19th May

Photo by Heather Bothwell

Report By Heather.

The Cavan branch of birdwatch Ireland took the annual dawn chorus walk

 to Arva this year. This is a chance to celebrate spring and publicise birdwatch ireland. It was a mild morning after the previous days rain and there was lots of bird activity. plenty of singing thrushes, blackbirds, robins, wrens, goldcrests and warblers including whitethroat. We walked up Brankill lane and down to Garty lough. Afterwards the intrepid Arva birdwatchers gathered in the Breffni Arms for coffee , with many thanks to Eamon Gray who had not long been to bed!!!