Hen harrier Survey

(photo Shay Connolly)

BirdWatch Ireland, alongside the Irish Raptor Study Group and the Golden
Eagle Trust are coordinating the National Hen Harrier Survey 2015.

This survey will begin at the start of April and the project co-ordinators
are running a series of training workshops to ensure all surveyors are
familiar with the methods involved and to offer opportunities for newfieldworkers to participate to help monitor the Hen Harrier population.

Anyone who is interested is invited to attend the up-coming survey training workshops which
will cover Hen Harrier ecology, methods, reporting and other research
opportunities during the course of the survey. 
In Cavan, you can attend the Errigal hotel, Cootehill, this Wednesday, 25th March from 9.30 a.m. until 1.30 p.m. The workshop is free, however registration prior to the event is requested.
IrishHenHarrierSurvey2015

Even if you can’t take on a survey square you can assist by reporting
information and sightings of Hen Harriers in your local area. 

You can submit your sightings through the dedicated survey
website   irishhenharriersurvey

A Presentation "Irish Swifts in Decline: What Can We Do"? on Thursday 19 March

 Swift photo by Micheal Casey

  A Presentation entitled "Irish Swifts in Decline: What Can We Do?" by Micheal Casey (Birdwatch Ireland,Sligo Branch) will take place on Thursday 19 March at 8pm in Cavan County Museum.

This talk will be about the decline of swifts in Ireland,causes of this decline and what we can do about it.

Micheal is a vet with the Dept of Agriculture Food & the Marine's Laboratory Service. His interest in swifts is pursued outside of his work. He is also a bird ringer, with a special interest in swifts, dippers and peregrine falcons.
Micheal is involved with the swift conservation project and hopes to encourage local groups in the County to help out by getting involved in a local project.

Members of Tidy Towns committees and local Heritage groups are very welcome to attend this event!

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

More information on the Swift Conservation project can be found here

Dundalk Bay outing, Sunday 22 February

 The Bird Hide at Lurgangreen

Our outing to Dundalk Bay began with a rainy start but soon cleared as we reached the hide at Lurgangreen.There we were met up with Louth Branch member Gerry O Neill. 
On view were a wide range of waders, ducks and geese. We also caught some wonderful sights of Yellowhammers as they perched in nearby bushes.

 yellowhammer at Lurgangreen

 curlew by Peter Mc Kenna

grey heron by Peter Mc Kenna

greenshank by Peter Mc Kenna

 As we continued on our journey we stopped along the way to watch large groups of wildfowl feeding in local fields.These included Brent,Greylag,White-fronted and Pink-footed Geese.

 Geese flock in fields close to Lurgangreen

The Harbour at Giles Quey by Freddy Mc Gavin

When we reached Giles Quay we were met by marvellous sunshine and caught some great close-up views of Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Sanderling as they sped along the seashore.

 Giles Quay Beach by Freddy Mc Gavin

ringed plover by Peter Mc Kenna

turnstone by Peter Mc Kenna

After a short Coffee break and short visit to Rockmarshall we finished for the day and continued on our journey homeward bound.

watching roosting waders at Rockmarshall 

Rockmarshall  Freddy Mc Gavin.

 A stormy scene at Giles Quay

Photo Freddy Mc Gavin

 All in all it was a most enjoyable day with some breathtaking views and a large variety of birds spotted.Many thanks to Elizabeth,Gerry, PJ and Michael for all their help on the day.

Report by Branch Member Freddy Mc Gavin 

Changes had to be made to our itinerary on the day due to the bad weather. We are very grateful to Gerry for coming along and opening up the hide and for his help on the day

For infomration on bird sightings visit the Louth Birds Blog here 
For information on where to watch birds in Louth click here 

February outing to Dundalk Bay

Grey Seal at Clogherhead

Our next outing will take place on Sunday 22th February. We will visit the new bird hide at Lurgangreen, Seabank, Annagassan Harbour and then head South towards Clogher Head.

To car share from Bailieborough,meet at the Market Square at 9am. If you would prefer to make your own travel arrangements please contact me at mckennaeliz@gmail.com in advance of the trip to arrange a meet up point. 

We will spend 3 - 4 hours birding along Dundalk Bay and should see a good variety of waders,wildfowl, flocks of brent geese and some grey seals.

 It is recommended to bring along a snack and to wear warm waterproof clothing. Beginners are very welcome to come along!

Please check the blog for updates on any possible last minute changes,due to bad weather,closer to the date!

Contact number on the day Elizabeth 086 8336675

Date for your diary!- Thursday 19th March.

 A presentation by Micheal Casey "Dwindling Irish Swifts - what can we do ?" will take place on Thursday 19th March at 8pm in the Cavan County Museum. 

Outing to West Cavan on 11th January

Lough Atain by Heather Bothwell

Citizen Science
Cavan Branch Birdwatch Ireland made a start on this year’s Irish wetland bird survey last weekend.This nationwide effort of citizen science happens every year.  The aim is to find and count the waders, wildfowl, gulls and other wetland specialists that are visiting Ireland. In addition this year a special effort is being made to find and count the whooper swans. 

 Map of the Lough Oughter Complex

   We meet up at Drumlane Abbey near Milltown, Belturbet, (see map), and started to count what we could see. Drumbrick lake is a wildfowl sanctuary so shooting is prohibited. The field behind the Abbey was being grazed by a flock of over 100 Canada geese. These feral birds are the descendants of birds escaped from wildfowl collections. The population appears to be increasing and could be regarded as an invasive species. See the following link for Canada goose information http://www.habitas.org.uk/invasive/species.asp?item=9

Where are the birds?

 We split up into two groups and headed out to other sites. The Lough Oughter complex is a confusing flooded landscape of ribbed moraines and drumlins.  It takes time to find a route round to each lake and then find the birds. The birds move about depending on food supply, wind direction and shelter and human disturbance.

 Whooper Swans by Jonathan Shackleton

  However we managed to find tufted ducks, goldeneye, mallard, whooper swans, widgeon, teal, cormorants and great crested grebes. We also managed to pick up a buzzard and a sparrow hawk. I found it interesting to see how I constantly undercounted flocks compared to others in my group! I may be more careful with my counts!

Report on event by Heather Bothwell,Branch Chairperson.
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 Upcoming Events

 For information on the  International Swan Census 2015 which takes place this weekend 17th and 18th January click here

whooper swans by Jonathan Shackleton

To report any sightings of Whooper Swans this weekend,contact the Birdwatch Ireland office at iwebs@birdwatchireland.ie or a member of the local Branch.

For Branch contact details click here 

February - Sunday 22th outing to Dundalk Bay. More information on this event will be posted soon.

March - Thursday 19th . presentation by Micheal Casey "Dwindling Irish Swifts - what can we do ?" Cavan County Museum at 8pm. AGM prior to presentation at 7pm sharp.

 

 April  - Outing to Dowra, West Cavan. (Date to be confirmed)

 

May - Dawn chorus walks will take place in Bailieborough and Killeshandra

January outing to West Cavan Lakes

Whooper Swans by Clare Donoghue

 The first branch outing of the New Year will take place on Sunday 11th January. We will meet up at 10am at Drumlane Abbey car park, Milltown. At Miltown lake, we hope to see a selection of waterbirds including some whooper swans. We will also carry out  I-WeBS (Irish Wetland Bird Survey) counts on Milltown Lake and other lakes in the area.

Event organiser Heather Bothwell.

It is recommended to wear warm waterproof clothing and appropriate footwear. Beginners and non-members are very welcome to attend all events!

For information on The Irish Wetland Bird Survey click here

For information on the  International Swan Census 2015  click  here

This event takes place on the weekend of 17th and 18th January. Contact the Birdwatch Ireland office at iwebs@birdwatchireland.ie if you would like to help out with the survey.

Happy Christmas to all and Best Wishes for 2015!  

To become a member of Birdwatch Ireland click here