Outing to Lough Oughter Complex

Whooper Swans with  Mute Swans ( photo Liz Mc Kenna)

A Branch outing to The Lough Oughter Complex will take place on Sunday next 12th January.

Meet at Milltown Lake, Drumlane Abbey Car Park at 10am. 

We will carry out I-WeBs counts in the area with a particular interest in Whooper swan counts for the International Swan Census.This Census takes place every 5 years to order to monitor the status of Whooper and Bewick swans. 

The weekend of 11/12 January is International Swan Census day and if you happen to see any Whooper (or Bewick) Swans at any locations around the County in the next week, Please forward details of the location, flock number, date and time to Brian Burke at bburke@birdwatchireland.ie. Brian would really appreciate any information provided.

For information on this important survey click the following link International Swan Census 2020

More information on Whooper swans click here Whooper swans ID

More information on I-WeBs click here Irish wetland Bird Survey

Event to last approx 2 hours. Warm waterproof clothing and footwear recommended.

Branch Contact on the day is Michael Mc Kiernan 086 8854989 (Branch Chairperson)

Upcoming Event

 February Sunday 9^th  Lough Sheelin's shores. 

Meet at Crover House Hotel carpark at 9.30 am

March Sunday 8^th Dundalk Bay. Meet at the Spirit Store,Dundalk Docks at 11am. 

There is parking in the car park at Lidl which is close by.

November Outing to Dundalk Bay

Teal by Colette Gemmell

Redshank by Colette Gemmell

Lapwing by Colette Gemmell

Oystercatchers and redshank by Colette Gemmell

oystercatchers and knot by Colette Gemmell

 Gulls and waders in flight at Dundalk Docks by Colette Gemmell

Curlew by Colette Gemmell

Turnstone and knot at Blackrock by Colette Gemmell

A number of enthusiastic birders and photographers braved the cold for a trip to Dundalk Bay on Sunday 17th November.

We met up at the Docks and later went on to the Park between the two bridges.

Here we enjoyed good views of a variety of waders.

Later we went to Navvy Bank to search for the Short billed Dowitcher, but with no success.

Navvy Bank Walk by Catherine Waldron

Lapwing at Navvy Bank by Liz Mc Kenna

Lurgangreen by Catherine Waldron

We drove around by Blackrock and then on to Lurgangreen.

The tide was high so a lot of waders were roosting. We completed the day with a drive by Seabank.

A good variety of birds were seen with the slavonian grebe and a merlin being the highlight!

Many thanks to all who attended.

Report by ,Michael Mc Kiernan

Garden Bird Talk, Tuesday 19th November, Belturbet Civic Centre

Photo Liz Mc Kenna

A presentation on garden birds by Brian Burke from Birdwatch Ireland will take place on Tuesday 19th November at Belturbet Civic Centre,(at the back of Belturbet Library) at 7pm

Brian will advise on how to attract birds to your garden and what best to feed. He will also talk about the garden bird survey and how to take part. 

Lots of information on garden birds and the Garden bird survey can be found on the Birdwatch Ireland website here.

This event is organised by Cavan County Council as part of Science Week.

Starling Murmuration on Lough Ramor 

video by Tom Broe

This lovely starling murmuration video was taken by Tom Broe ( Branch Secretary)at Lough Ramor, Virginia ( Maghera side) on Wednesday last at approx 4pm.

Outing to Dundalk Bay Sunday 17th November

Photo Liz Mc Kenna

A Branch outing to Dundalk Bay will take place on Sunday 17 November.

We will meet at the Spirit Store,Dundalk Docks at 11am. 

Follow Link below for Directions

https://Dundalk Docks   (Parking available at Lidl which is close by.)

This is a great location for close up views of a variety of water birds.

The outing will last for about 2 hours and is suitable for beginners and anyone with an interest in bird photography.

It is recommended to wear warm waterproof clothing and footwear. 

For more information on this event or if you wish to car share please contact  Michael Mc Kiernan (Branch Chairperson) on 086 8854 989.

Photo Liz Mc Kenna

This lovely winter visitor to Ireland was seen at Gyles Quey, (Dundalk Bay ) on October 20th. 

For more information on Snow Buntings follow this link.   Snow bunting

Drumlane Abbey outing

Dear birdwatcher;

Our first outing of the year will take place on Sunday, 13th January. We will meet at Drumlane abbey carpark      https://goo.gl/maps/P2HkpheEfUp

 and visit several sites in the locality.  Information gathered on the day; species seen and numbers etc will be submitted via the IWeBS  (the Irish Wetland Bird Survey) system. see here for more details: 

 https://www.birdwatchireland.ie/?tabid=111

If you haven't been birdwatching before, you are very welcome to join us and see for yourself. . we can share binoculars with those who don't have any. 

 Dress warmly. 

any enquiries, contact me at this email or phone 087 7735487

regards,

Ashley

Outing to Dundalk Bay on Sunday 18th November

Lapwing at Dundalk Docks  (Liz Mc Kenna)

A Branch outing  to Dundalk Bay will take place on Sunday next 18th November. 

This is a very important wintering location for many waterbird species.

The outing will last for about 2 hours.

This event is suitable for beginners and anyone with an interest in bird photography.

 Meet at the Spirit Store,Dundalk Docks at 11am. 

Follow the link below for directions or contact Michael on number below.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir//54.009042,-6.389901/@54.009042,-6.389901,16z?hl=en-US

It is recommended to wear warm waterproof clothing and footwear.

Contact on the day Michael Mc Kiernan 086 8854989 (Branch Chairperson)