Dawn and Dusk Chorus Events

 Dawn Chorus Walk in Bailieborough.

We met up at 4.30am at the car park of the castle-lake woods for our annual dawn chorus event on Sunday 18th May.  It was still dark, blustery and threatening to rain as we set out on our walk. We had just left the car park when the first bird of the dawn chorus began to sing- a song thrush! Blackbirds soon joined in, followed be robins and then wrens.

  
 As we proceeded on our walk and it started to brighten up the song thrushes and blackbirds became less vocal and we were able to tune in to the songs of chaffinches, goldcrests, and the summer visitors that come to breed in the forest: willow warblers, chiffchaffs and blackcaps.

 Before finishing up, we stopped at the lake to view the great crested grebes, moorhens and mute swans. The resident female mute swan remained on her nest, but we suspected that the chicks may have been in the process of hatching. She looked to be very busy and the male was nearby paying close attention! At the lakeshore we also enjoyed the song of the sedge warblers, another species that migrates here from Africa to breed. 

 We finished the event with a cup of tea and some refreshments at the car park area and were all very glad that the rain just about managed to hold off until we were finishing up!

Thanks to everyone who brought along refreshments to share. It was much appreciated!

All above photos taken by Michael Mc Kiernan.

Dusk Chorus Walk In Killeshandra

photo Heather Bothwell

 Looking for tree creepers on the giant sequoia castle Hamilton

Report by Heather Bothwell

A Dusk Chorus Walk concentrating on birdsong took place in Killeshandra on Sunday 27th April. This was a short walk highlight of which was grasshopper warblers. We retreated after an hour before the midges got too hungry.

Dusk and Dawn Chorus Events

Dusk Chorus walk in Killeshandra.

 A Dusk Chorus walk will take place on Sunday 27th April, starting out from the Green Lake car park,Cavan Road, Killeshandra at 7.30pm. 

 Just like at dawn,at dusk there is generally an upsurge in birdsong and it's a nice time of the evening to enjoy a walk.  This event will  last approximately one hour.

 Event organizer Heather Bothwell- heatherbothwell@eircom.net

 National Dawn Chorus Day Sunday 18th May

To celebrate National Dawn Chorus day two events will be held in Co.Cavan on Sunday 18th May National Dawn Chorus Day.These events will provide a great opportunity to learn about birdsong while enjoying an early morning walk. Come along and join a walk at one of the following locations:

Killeshandra: Meet at Green Lake Car Park,Cavan Rd,Killeshandra.

 Event organizer,Heather Bothwell - heatherbothwell@eircom.net

Bailieborough: Meet at the Castle Lake Forest, lakeshore car park,Lear entrance.

Event organizer Elizabeth Mc Kenna - elizmckenna@eircom.net

Both walks will commence at 4.30am. At this time (just before dawn) one gets to experience birdsong at its best in the quiet and stillness of the early morning. It provides an opportunity to hear the chorus build from just a lone thrush or blackbird to a full chorus of all the birds in the forest! The walks will last about an hour and we recommend wearing warm clothes and bringing along a snack and hot drink to enjoy afterwards. 

Presentation on wildlife photography by Mark Carmody and AGM

Presentation by Mark Carmody

"A rough guide to wildlife photography", a presentation by wildlife photographer Mark Carmody, was held in Cavan County Museum on 20^th March after the AGM. Mark described to us how his interest in wildlife photography developed and showed us lovely examples of his work in Ireland and Japan. He also told us of his collaboration with Jim Wilson in producing the first photographic field guide to the Birds of Ireland and gave the budding wildlife photographers among us many helpful tips to improve our skills. His presentation was very informative and enjoyable and we were delighted to have him come speak to the Cavan branch. 

Thanks to Savina and the staff at the museum for hosting the event.

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The AGM took place prior to the presentation at 7pm.The following people were elected to serve on the committee for the coming year.
  
Chairperson Heather Bothwell,Killeshandra
Secretary     Elizabeth Mc kenna,Bailieborough
Treasurer    Sean Callaghan, Virginia.

General committee : PJ Byrne, (Vice Chairperson), Michael Mc Kiernan (Vice Secretary), Peadar Reynolds (Vice Treasurer) Yvette Von Cramon and Nigel Beresford.

To become a member of Birdwatch Ireland click here

 

"A Rough Guide to.. Wildlife Photography" A Presentation by Mark Carmody on Thursday 20th March

Photo: Mark Carmody

 "A Rough Guide to.. Wildlife Photography"  A presentation by Mark Carmody will take place on Thursday 20th March in Cavan County Museum, Ballyjamesduff at 8pm.

  Mark is a keen birder/wildlife photographer and, along with Jim Wilson, has recently produced the first photographic ID guide to the birds of Ireland which is called, "The Birds of Ireland, A field Guide" (produced in association with BirdWatch Ireland).

 Mark's presentation will tell the story of how he started in wildlife photography and how the books he has published along with Jim Wilson came about. He will talk to us about  the photography techniques he has learned and how he has put them into practice. The talk will be illustrated with many photographs of birds and wildlife from Ireland and abroad and is geared to suit both photographers and also those with a general interest in wildlife.

 

  Other books produced by Mark and Jim include "Shore-Birds of Ireland" and "Fresh-Water Birds of Ireland"

Copies of Mark and Jim's new book will be for sale on the night after the presentation.

All welcome and admission is free!

Click here to visit Mark's photography website

 
Cavan Branch Members AGM will take place prior to the talk at 7pm sharp.

Dundalk Bay Sunday 2th February

Watching roosting waders at Dundalk Docks

A branch outing to Dundalk Bay was held on 2nd February. We luckily chanced upon a dry and bright morning, which was unexpected after the recent spate of stormy weather! We met up at Dundalk docks at 10.30am. Here we enjoyed views of teal, lapwing, golden plover and various gull species before the rising tide levels meant it was time to move on.

 Oystercatchers. photo: Michael Mc Nulty

  Teal at Dundalk Docks photo: Clare Donoghue

 Black-headed gull photo: Clare Donoghue

Photo: Michael Mc Nulty

 Our next stop was Lurgangreen, where large numbers of roosting waders were present. Among the waders, we spotted a few goldeneye and a pair of pintail ducks.

 

Lurgangreen. photo: Freddy Mc Gavin 

Giles Quay photo: Freddy Mc Gavin

Before finishing up for the day, we visited Gyles' Quay. Here we watched ringed plover and turnstone feeding on the beach, as well as good numbers of gull species. Although the sea was very choppy we did manage to get  some close-up views of a great northern diver and a group of red-breasted mergansers feeding in the harbour, which made for a great end to the day's birding.

 Great northern diver photo: Clare Donoghue

stonechat photo: Clare Donoghue

Outing to Dundalk Bay Sunday 2th February

Geese and waders at Lurgangreen,Dundalk photo by Claire Donoghue

An outing to Dundalk Bay will take place on Sunday 2th February.The outing is timed to coincide with an incoming tide to maximise our chances of getting close views of waders and other waterbirds. We will visit a few sites near the town and then head south towards Annagassin. To car share from Bailieborough, meet at the Market Square at 9.30am. To meet with the group in Dundalk,meet at Dundalk Docks at 10.30am. 

Best to bring a packed lunch and to wear waterproof clothing and footwear.

Beginners very welcome!

Contact number on the day for this event is (086)8336675. If weather conditions are poor on the morning of event please check blog or phone/text for information on any changes.
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Upcoming Event in March.

A presentation by Mark Carmody - "A Rough Guide to.. Wildlife Photography" will take place on Thursday 20th March in Cavan County Museum, Ballyjamesduff at 8pm.

Mark is a keen birder/wildlife photographer and Co- author along with Jim Wilson of the recently published photographic field guide "The Birds of Ireland, A field Guide" This lovely book has been produced in association with Birdwatch Ireland.

The Branch AGM will take place prior to the presentation at 7pm sharp.