November Talk by Eric Dempsey

"A Year of Birds", a talk by Eric Dempsey, was held in the Riverfront hotel Virginia on 25th November. The wintery conditions held off for just long enough to allow the talk to take place. The talk was well-attended and the audience enjoyed a great selection of photos taken over the year, many demonstrating the hardship experienced by birds in the cold spell of January 2010. Eric spoke with great enthusiasm and his talk inspired us to make an extra effort to feed birds during cold spells of weather.

Talk By Eric Dempsey,Riverfront Hotel, Virginia 25 November

Talk by Eric Dempsey

“A Year of Birds,” a Presentation by Eric dempsey will take place in the Riverfront Hotel, Virginia at 8pm on Thursday 25 November.Eric is a professional bird guide, author and a regular contributor to The Mooney Show on RTE radio This talk should be of interest to anyone who feeds garden birds or who enjoys the countryside and would like to know more about the birds they encounter while out and about. His new publication “The complete Field Guide to Ireland Birds” will be available to buy on the night for those who wish to purchase. His last visit to Virginia was a big success and we look forward to his return. All Welcome and admission is free!

Dundalk Bay 7 November

After meeting up at the Fairways Hotel, we headed out to Seabank where we joined up with Breffni Martin of the Louth Branch. A variety of waders were present including redshank, grey plover, ringed plover and dunlin. As the tide was still quite high, we decided to pay a visit to Hermitage where we enjoyed some close-up views of common scoter and red throated divers. We finished off the outing by returning to the town to visit the dockland area. Two little egrets were present along with a large flock of lapwing, some golden plovers, gulls, black-tailed godwits and a small flock of goldeneye.

After a great day’s birding, we called into the Spirit Store at the docks for a coffee. Many thanks to Breffni for joining us and for helping us to become more familiar with the excellent birding locations around Dundalk Bay.

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)