Outing to Dundalk Bay

Our next branch outing will take place on Sunday 7 November to Dundalk Bay. Here we will have the opportunity to see good numbers of waders and wildfowl which have recently arrived to spend the winter months around our coast. Dundalk Bay is one of the most important sites in the country for wintering water-birds and well worth a visit. We will be joined by Breffni Martin from the Louth branch of BirdWatch Ireland and will visit a number of sites all within easy reach of the town.

If you are travelling via Bailieborough and wish to car share, meet at the Market Sq at 11am.or phone Elizabeth on 086 8336675 to arrange a meeting point in Dundalk.

If travelling west of Cavan to car share please phone Heather on 087 6699681.

Packed lunch and waterproofs recommended.

Blacklion Outing in September

The group enjoyed an upland walk in the Burren Forest on a sunny Sunday morning. Several ravens and a group of crossbills were the highlights of the birds seen and the group enjoyed great views of the surrounding countryside. Also present were some speckled wood butterflies and moorland hawker dragonflies

September Outing to West Cavan

We will be resuming branch activities for the Autumn-Winter season on Sunday 12th September with an outing to West Cavan led by Heather Bothwell.
We plan to visit Lough McNean and upland sites in the area. The outing should last approximately 2-3 hours. Bring along a pair of binoculars and a packed lunch. Waterproof clothing and footwear are also recommended. Meet at the Market House, Blacklion, at 10:30am. If you would like to car share, please let us know prior to the event.

Contacts: heatherbothwell@eircom.net (Cavan West)
elizmckenna@eircom.net (Cavan East)

Castle Lake Woods Dawn Chorus

We were lucky to have good weather for both our dawn chorus events in May. The above picture shows some of the group from the Bailieborough dawn chorus having a well-deserved break after the early start! The dusk-chorus event in Jampa Ling was well-attended and it was great to see so many families turning out to enjoy the event in such a lovely setting.
We will be taking a break over the Summer and branch events will recommence in September.

Dawn/Dusk Chorus Events

Listen to the song of the song thrush and many more at a dawn/dusk Chorus Event in May.

Dusk Chorus Walk Saturday 8th May

Jampa Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre, Bawnboy.
Meet at 7 30p.m.
Light refreshment served prior to walk

Dawn Chorus Walk Sunday 9th May

Castle Lake Woods, Bailieborough.
Meet at 4.30a.m. at the main car park, Lear entrance

Dawn Chorus Walk Sunday 16th May

Lough Gowna,Dernaferst Bridge,Lakeshore Walk.
Meet at 4.30a.m. at Dernaferst Bridge which is 2 km south west of Gowna on Aughnacliffe Rd.

Garden Bird Talk by Niall Hatch BWI

On 22 April Niall Hatch who is the development officer for BWI visited the branch to give a presentation and slide show on Garden Birds. A large crowd attended this very informative and entertaining presentation. Those present were surprised to learn that their garden birds lived such short lives and that many winter visitors to their bird tables were migrants from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. He discussed the plight of the swallow and the hardship they face on migration. It was sad to learn that many don’t survive the long migration to Africa and back. He also passed on many interesting facts on members of the crow family and the prize for the most intelligent bird went to the Magpie. Niall explained to us that it was a sign of a healthy bird population if we had a sparrowhawk visiting our gardens and that we should learn to appreciate and respect this beautiful bird. Thank you very much Niall for visiting the branch and for an excellent presentation.