Dundalk outing

Dundalk is always a favourite with Cavan Birdwatch branch. There is an abundance of waders and migrating birds with great sites to watch them from. 

We will be holding an outing to Dundalk bay on Sunday 26th November. Meet at the docks at 12 noon.

park at Lidl carpark and cross the road to The Spirt Store-- 

Bring a packed lunch and wear warm outdoor gear.

If you have any questions, email cavanbirdwatching@gmail.com

map

On Sunday 22nd October we are meeting up with the Sligo branch to visit some of their favourite sites at this time of year. This is a lovely trip with excellent local guides

Bring a lunch and hopefully we'll have somewhere scenic to have our sandwiches. Wear warm outdoor clothing; it will most likely be cold!

Meet at 11 a.m. at Cartron Car Park, which is just off the main N4 as it travels over Hughes Bridge in Sligo. You take a left for Rosses Point rather than going on to Donegal. Cartron is on the left just before the road narrows with the seashore also on the left. There is a viewing platform there as it is a good spot for waders.
Contact cavanbirdwatching@gmail.com if you have questions or need more information.

Dawn Chorus Bailieborough

Cavan branch Dawn Chorus Day Sunday 14th May
This event will provide a great opportunity to learn about birdsong while enjoying an early morning walk. Come along and bring a friend!

Bailieborough: Meet at the Castle Lake Forest, lakeshore car park, 04.30

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.

Contact  cavanbirdwatching@gmail.com for more information.

Glenfarne Forest Park

The meeting time on this flyer is incorrect: we are meeting at 12.00.

Dawn Chorus Belturbet

Ballyconnell Woods

What glorious weather we had for our 2nd annual walk in Ballyconnell Woods today!

The walk, starting at the park opposite the Realta Centre takes you along the canal for around 1km before crossing a stile into the woods. 

Many of our records of today are of birds heard and identified by their song and some were spotted as well. With all those trees though, birds have fantastic camouflage!

So, to the list.....(drumroll..)

blue tit

chiff chaff (he made himself heard very early on and then refused to sing until much later)

wren

mistle thrush

dunnock (obligingly came and perched right beside us!)

goldfinch

long-tailed tit (nest-making)

red poll

robin

treecreeper

wood pigeon

little grebe

great crested grebe

hooded crow

tufted duck

buzzard

mute swans

dipper

rook

jackdaw

starlings

and a great spotted woodpecker.

We had local reports of a woodpecker from last year so we were keen to investigate further. We hadn't even entered the woods when we heard him drumming. He flew around quite a bit so remained very elusive. We did manage to get the briefest of glimpses of him as he flew close to us and then reconsidered and returned to the cover of the trees. 

Dick Coombes presented a talk to Cavan Birdwatch back in 2013 about how recently these birds have started to breed in Ireland. Have a look at our archive link to read about it:

cavanbranch/archive

GreatSpottedWoodpecker

Upcoming event

Cavan Birdwatch walk through Ballyconnell woods on Sunday 26th March @ 10 a.m.

Wear sturdy footwear. New and non-members are welcome. No dogs please

contact cavanbirdwatching@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Tree-planting help wanted!

Dear birdwatcher,

Cavan Birdwatch have been invited to come along and participate in the following event..

"You are invited to come along to a tree planting event at Castle Lake Forest Bailieboro on Friday 10th March at 2pm."

This is part of an initiative called "Peace Forest Community Planting" in commemoration of the victims of the Troubles. This area will be called the Peace Forest.
Coillte have sponsored the plants and will be on hand at the event.
Bring along spade and wellies. There will be no heavy work involved.


Our branch have used this forest over the past decade for our Dawn Chorus events as well as for individual birdwatching, and many local members put in alot of time and effort in erecting and maintaining nestboxes there so it would be wonderful if we could give them as much support as we can.

Look at the following to find out more..

Peace Forest

Lough Sheelin Report

Our branch outing to Lough Sheelin was held on Sunday Feb.5th. It was a chilly morning with a little fog, but for those who braved the conditions it was very rewarding. As the fog lifted and the sun came out the views of the lake were stunning.
The birds did not disappoint either. The little grebe, great crested grebe and coot were plentiful. The winter visiting ducks were enjoying a relaxing day without being shot at!!!. Tufted ducks would be the most common but we were treated to views of Scaup, Pochard and Goldeneye. Mallards were scarce. Mute swans, Cormorants and Grey Heron were also seen at a few locations. A Water Rail was heard in the reed beds and while there was a Northern Diver reported recently it was not to be seen on the day.
The Lake at Bracklagh while having the regulars at this stage was host to a Male Shoveller and three Gadwall ducks.
A special thanks to the Monaghan branch members who joined us on the day.
Michael McKiernan

P.J Byrne: A tribute

PJ Byrne ,who died in October was one of the longest serving members of the Cavan branch of Birdwatch Ireland, serving on the committee for many years  and laterally as Chairman.  He served in this role with enthusiasm and distinction and encouraged the members to have regular meetings and to participate in field trips to many parts of the country.

Born in Bailieborough Co Cavan PJ worked in Midland and Flair industries where he served in various capacities and was promoted to a Supervisory position where he remained until he retired.

As a dedicated member of Cavan Birdwatch PJ took a great interest in encouraging students to understand and appreciate nature and the environment by taking them on walks around the Castle Lake.  He was very enthusiastic about DIY and aside from ensuring that everything was in sparkling order around his home and garden he hand made a wide range of bird boxes which he put up around the area or gave to his friends.

PJ had a Back Belt in Judo and took part in competitions all around the country and gave lessons to the younger generation.

His other great passion was walking and he was a keen member of Bailieborough Walking Club ,and led many walks around the North East.

PJ will be greatly missed by all the people who came in contact with him.  We extend our deepest sympathy to Philomena his wife, his daughter Donna and his grandson Micah.

Peadar Reynolds