Garden Bird talk by Jamie Durrant Tuesday 26th November

Report by Heather Bothwell

The wonderful world of birds outside your window.

Jamie Durrants talk on feeding winter birds.

To those who missed Jamie’s talk it is hard to transmit the energy and enthusiasm that Jamie brought to an every -day topic.  Jamie has long experience working in bird conservation and ecological surveys. He has also worked bringing the world of birds to the general public as Birdwatch Ireland membership officer.  The full house in the County Museum ,Ballyjamesduff enjoyed an informative and entertaining talk on feeding birds in winter.  Jamie’s talk was very practical and to get some handy advice on feeding birds follow the link. http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=a1EAgOihboo=

For those that want to go a bit further and increase your enjoyment of garden birds why not share your information and contribute to the garden bird survey?

http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Default.aspx?tabid=121

For those that are interested in making their patch a garden bird habitat  follow the link

http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Advice/FAQ/GardenBirdFAQ/tabid/368/Default.aspx

And for those interested in a free garden bird pack when they support Birdwatch Ireland  visit;

http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Default.aspx?tabid=79

Presentation on" Feeding Garden Birds"Tuesday 26th November, Cavan County Museum, Ballyjamesduff

photo by Michael Mc Nulty

"Feeding Garden Birds", a presentation by Jamie Durrant of Birdwatch Ireland, will take place in the Cavan County Museum, Ballyjamesduff at 8pm on Tuesday 26 November.

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!

If you would like to take part in the garden bird survey click here for more information. It's a great way to learn more about your garden birds and also fun to do!

Outing to Inch Reserve on Sunday 10 November

Inch Reserve photo Margaret Fay

photo by Clare Donoghue

Black-headed gulls by Clare Donoghue

A branch outing to Inch Reserve and Blanket Nook, Co.Donegal was held on Sunday 10th November. We met up at Inch reserve at 10.30 am where we were joined by Donegal Branch BWI member Chris Ingram. The bright and frosty morning made for excellent viewing conditions and before setting out from the car park we enjoyed views of large numbers of whooper swans,greylag geese and even a few pink-footed geese feeding in the nearby fields


As we made our way to the hide blackbirds, thrushes and goldcrests were seen feeding on the large crop of berries in the hedgerows. The area surrounding the embankment held many species including grey heron, goldeneye, little grebe and several curlews. Upon reaching the hide, the good light conditions and large numbers of waders and wildfowl present made for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon during which we observed golden plover, lapwing, gadwall, ruff, coot and tufted duck.

Some of the group members Photo Margaret Fay

After a short lunch break we headed to the nearby site of Blanket Nook. Here we spotted many waders including black-tailed godwit and greenshank, as well as significant numbers of whooper swans and greylag geese. The particularly special sighting of a peregrine falcon resting on a post made for an exciting end to the outing.

A special thank you to Chris for his help on the day and to Clare, Michael and Margaret for sharing their photos.

Watching the peregrine at Blanket Nook

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.