News

News and Events 2007

Next
Local
Event

25th August 2008

Birdwatch Sligo River Walk, Sligo Town

BirdWatch Sligo will run a guided river walk along the Garvoge River in Sligo town.

Meet at the bronze sculpture in Quay St Car Park at 7 pm.

This is a Heritage Week outing. Heritage Week runs from 24th to 31st August 2008

CONTENTS
- Denis Philcox Bequest to BirdWatch Sligo
- Outings Programme for Late Summer/Early Autumn 2008 announced
- Outing to Aughris Head, 8th June 2008
- BirdWatch Sligo A.G. M. and members night
- Dawn Chorus Day outing - Sunday 18th May 2008, 5.30 am
- John McEvoy Exhibition in Sligo
- Mike Brown presentation in Castlebar
- BirdWatch Sligo programme of events for Spring/Summer 2008 announced
- NPWS series of talks and events announced
- Minister for Environment bans poisoned meat baits
- Golden eagle Talk in Ballinafad on 15th January 2008
- Hen Harrier Roost Survey appeal
- Galway Branch visit to Sligo 30/11 - 2/12
- First iWebs count of the season on 25th November
- BirdWatch Sligo Christmas Social in The Venue, Strandhill
- SuperWhooper "Conn" arrives in Sligo
- Full Autumn/Winter 2007/8 talks and events programme
- Appeal for Hen Harrier Sightings
- 'Natural Heritage of Sligo' poster launch
- First Irish Golden Eagle chick hatches in one hundred years
- BirdWatch Sligo Text Alerts offer
- Common Buzzards nesting in Sligo
- Summer 2007 Branch outings

Denis Philcox Bequest: Birdwatch Sligo acknowledges the generous bequest of IR£1,000 (€1,270) which was left to the branch in the will of the late Denis Philcox. Mr Philcox was a keen garden birdwatcher and a supportive member of the branch and attended our outings and lectures. The gift was unexpected and the branch committee are considering how best to use the bequest in a manner that will further the aims of the branch and honour Mr Philcox's memory.
BirdWatch Sligo Outings: Late Summer/Early Autumn Programme announced 25th August 2008 - Birdwatch Sligo River Walk, Sligo Town This is a Heritage Week outing BirdWatch Sligo will run a guided river walk along the Garvoge River in Sligo town. Meet at the bronze staue in Quay St Car Park at 7 pm. Heritage Week runs from 24th to 31st August 2008 28th September 2008 - Birdwatch Sligo Outing to Lower Rosses to see waders Meet at Cartron Car Park 3pm (high tide is at 6pm). Remember to bring waterproof clothes, boots 19th October 2008 - Birdwatch Sligo trip to Inch Levels and Blanket Nook, Co Donegal. Meet Cartron Bay Car Park 8.30 am - the site is almost 2 hours away, so this will be an all-day event. Remember to bring waterproof clothes, boots and a packed lunch. Car pooling/lifts will be available.
8th June 2008 Outing to Aughris Head Meet Collery's Pub Beltra at 12.30pm. Bring a packed lunch
Wednesday 21st May 2008, 9 pm - Members Night and Reconvened A.G.M. Venue: Embassy Rooms, Bridge St, Sligo All members welcome
Sunday 18th May 2008, 5.30 am Dawn Chorus Outing - National Dawn Chorus Day Venue: Hazelwood Meet: Carpark at Half-moon Bay, 5.30 am. All welcome.
13th February 2008: The first Sligo Heritage eZine, which has been compiled by the Heritage Office of Sligo County Council was launched today. The objective of the Heritage eZine is to encourage heritage activity and provide support for heritage initiatives in County Sligo. It is hoped that it will facilitate greater access to heritage news, events and information across the county. If you are an organisation, community group or individual with an interest in Sligo’s heritage, the Sligo Heritage Office is keen to hear about forthcoming heritage projects, news and events to include in the monthly Sligo Heritage eZine. To have your event/news listed in the March 2008 Sligo Heritage eZine please forward your information, before the end of February, to heritageezine@sligococo.ie for inclusion. Please forward to anyone you feel may be interested in the Sligo Heritage eZine. http://www.sligococo.ie/Services/Heritage/HeritageeZine/
February 23rd 2008: THE McEVOY COLLECTION: The Glasshouse, Sligo I will be holding a one-day exhibition of my photographs in the Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo next Saturday, the 23rd of Feb from 12 noon until 9pm. The set includes wildlife (birds and plants mostly) landscapes and a few portraits thrown in for good measure. Shots are in colour and black-and-white, and come from Sligo and my far-flung ecological travels over the last few years. It would be great to see some local birders there, thanks for your support, John McEvoy.
BIRDWATCH MAYO EVENT Thursday 21st February - Irish Nature Photography - a presentation by Mike Brown, the multiple award-winning nature and landscape photographer, and author of the recent book “Images of Irish Nature”. Mike's stunning images are showcased on his website. 7.30pm Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Castlebar, Co. Mayo Details Wendy: 086-338-2808 / 098-21019
29th January 2008: BirdWatch Sligo announces Spring/Summer 2008 events programme. Friday 08th February An illustrated talk by Mike Trewby, Birdwatch Ireland. “Sea Bird Monitoring in Ireland” 8.15 pm at Sligo Institute of Technology, Room A004 Sunday 10th February Outing: to West Sligo. 12.15pm. Meet at Collery’s Pub, Beltra. Sunday 09th March Outing: to Sligo Bay Area. 12 noon. Meet at Village Inn Car Park, Cartron Point, Sligo. Tuesday 11th March* (*NPWS Event) An Illustrated Talk by Brian Caffrey of BirdWatch Ireland. “New Atlas of Breeding & Wintering Birds” 7.45 pm at NPWS, Field Study Centre, Ballinafad, Co Sligo. Friday 11th April B.W.I. Sligo Branch A.G.M. followed by An illustrated talk by Dick Coombes of Birdwatch Ireland. “Birding in Central America” 8.15 pm at Sligo Institute of Technology, Room A004 Sunday 20th April Outing: to Lakes & Woodland. 12 noon. Meet at Village Inn Car Park, Cartron Point, Sligo. Wednesday 21st May 2008, 9 pm Members Night and Reconvened A.G.M. Embassy Rooms, Bridge St, Sligo All members welcome May (Date to be announced) National Dawn Chorus Day : Outing to Hazelwood 05.30am. Meet at Half-Moon Bay Car Park, Hazelwood. Sunday 08th June Outing: to Aughris Head 12.15pm. Meet at Collery’s Pub, Beltra.
19th January 2008: National Parks and Wildlife Service announce exciting series of upcoming events in the north-west: Saturday 2nd February (World Wetlands Day) Explore the wonderful wildlife of the wetlands at Lough Croan (near Four Roads), Co. Roscommon, with members of the Education team from the NPWS, North Midlands Region. Warm clothing, rainwear and suitable foot wear is advised. Bring along a pair of binoculars if you wish or use one of the scopes provided so that you can get a close up look at the rich diversity of life in our wetlands. Please call Michael Bell at 087 2368630 if interested in attending. Sunday 10th February – "Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People" – at Family World Wetlands Day at Roscommon Town Park. Members of the public are invited to enjoy the health benefits of our wetlands areas form 2.30 onwards at the Park (Lough Naneane) A variety of games and activities exploring the rich diversity of wildlife in our wetland areas and how they can be part of a more healthy life for all the family. The Turlough that lies close to the park can be observed from the Park hide area – so bring along your binoculars if you wish or use one of the scopes provided so that you can get a close up look at the rich diversity of life in our wetlands. Tuesday 19th February - "From Whaling to Conservation - Changing Attitudes to Whales and Dolphins in Ireland" by Dr. Simon Berrow of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. It will take place in the Education Room at the NPWS Offices in Ballinafad, Co. Sligo at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 19th February. Tuesday 11th March - Brian Caffrey, the Irish co-ordinator of the Bird Atlas 2007-2011, will give an illustrated talk on the Bird Atlas. This will be an opportunily for anyone who missed Brian's talk in Sligo last October to learn how they can help out with this exciting project. The talk will take place in the National Parks and Wildlife Services offices in Ballinafad at 7.45 p.m.
The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley has announced a ban on meat-based poisoned baits for the legal poisoning of pest species (under permit) in order to prevent accidental ingestion of poisoned meat baits by birds of prey. This declaration will help to prevent incidents such as the poisoning of the Red Kite in Dromahair by alphachloralose (see story here), which got a lot of media coverage and helped to illustrate the risks inherent in the previous arrangement in the Republic of Ireland where farmers could legally use poisoned meat baits to control crows under licence. See Government Notices section in Irish Times, 10th January 2008, page 29.
Lorcan O'Toole, the Project Manager of the Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project will be giving an illustrated talk on "Birds of Prey of Ireland" on Tuesday, 15th Jan. at 7.45pm in the National Parks and Wildlife Service offices in Ballinafad. Lorcan will give an update on the Golden Eagle Project as well as other ongoing bird of prey reintroduction projects currently underway in Ireland. It should be of interest to many in the Sligo area.
John McEvoy is taking part in the National Hen Harrier Roost Survey with Barry O'Donoghue (NPWS in Kerry) and is looking for suggestions of good places to check for roosting sites, and also if there have been any recent sightings of Hen Harriers in Sligo John will check out the coastal areas from Ballyconnell to Mullaghmore but if any BirdWatch Sligo members have seen a Harrier elsewhere, he would appreciate the info (as would this website!). Please email John if you can help.
Friday 7th December 2007 BirdWatch Sligo Christmas Social in The Venue, Strandhill This is the branch's annual get-together, consisting of an informal meal and a drink, all members welcome. Please contact Mark Keane on 087 228 8463 before Sunday 25th November in order to finalise numbers
Friday 30th November to Sunday 1st December Weekend outing to Sligo by members of the Galway branch of Birdwatch Ireland Birdwatch Galway have chosen Sligo as the destination for their annual weekend trip. they will be based in the Sligo Park Hotel and a full programme of activities are planned - details on this site later in the week. All members are invited to come and meet our Galway visitors and give them a real Sligo welcome!
Sunday 25th November 2007 at 11.45 am: Sligo Harbour iWEBS Be a part of the Irish Wetland Bird Survey - an annual census of the birds using Sligo's wetlands. Please e-mail Trevor Hunter if you can help. Meet at Cartron Inn car park at 11.45 am. Please note change of date & time. The count has been postponed from the original date (18th) because of the anticipated traffic and disruption around Sligo, due to the World Rally Championship round taking place in the area.

SUPER WHOOPER ARRIVES IN SLIGO!

"Conn", a satellite-tagged five-year-old male Whooper Swan has been tracked on its migration from Iceland, via Scotland and the isle of Skye, through Donegal, and on to Sligo, where it was detected this evening at nightfall. The tag sends regular positional information via satellite, which showed the bird was at Inch levels in Donegal earlier today, Saturday 3rd November 2007, at about 12.45, before moving to Sligo, where a later signal showed that it was in Ballisodare Bay at about 6.05 pm. The bird will be looked for in the morning at first light so that the movement and the accuracy of the position can be verified.

A graphic summary of "Conn's" migration route can be seen here, as well as the rooute taken by a Whooper previously tracked from Iceland to Sligo some 12 years ago.

The bird's route can be followed day by day on the Super Whooper website, which is updated every couple of days.

Click on the images for enlarged satellite images

4th November 2007		14th November 2007

Mrs Alison McElwaine, Strangford, Co. Down.
The members of Birdwatch Sligo extend their deepest sympathy to Graham McElwaine, Resightings Coordinator of the Irish Brent Goose Research Group on the untimely death of his wife Alison, who passed away last month after an illness.

AUTUMN/WINTER ACTIVITIES 2007/8 Remember all outings run by the branch are led by experienced local guides, are free of charge, and everyone is welcome! All talks and lectures are also free and all are welcome, but there is the option to make a small donation to the branch's funds.
October 2007	Sunday 7th October 2007 1.30 pm. Outing to Dorrins Strand, to see wintering waders, passage migrants and Brent Geese Meet at the end of the Old Airport Road.
	Friday 12th October 2007 8.15 pm. "The Irish Bird Atlas" - an illustrated talk by Brian Caffrey (Irish Atlas Co-ordinator) at Sligo Institute of Technology - Room A004, on Friday 12th October at 8.15 pm. Brian Caffrey kicks off our annual series of monthly lectures with an illustrated presentation of his ideas and proposals for the new Atlas of Breeding Birds, and outlines how BirdWatch Sligo members can participate in this exciting project.
	Sunday 14th October 2007 12 noon Outing to Bunduff Lake to see Whooper Swans, ducks, waders and more. Meet at Cartron Inn car park at 12 noon.
November 2007	Friday 9th November 2007 8.15 pm. "The Irish Hen Harrier" - an illustrated talk - an illustrated talk by Barry O'Donoghue at Sligo Institute of Technology on Friday 9th November at 8.15 pm - Room A004. Barry is a Conservation Officer with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), based in Co. Clare, and is working on a research project on Hen Harriers.
	Sunday 11th November 2007 12 noon Outing to Lissadell to see Barnacle Geese. Meet at Cartron Inn car park at 12 noon.
	Sunday 25th November 2007 - note change of date. The count has been postponed because of the anticipated traffic and disruption around Sligo, due to the World Rally Championship round taking place in the area 8.30 am Sligo Harbour iWEBS - part of the Irish Wetland Bird Survey - an annual census of birds using Sligo's wetlands. Meet at Cartron Inn car park at 8.30 am.
December 2007	Friday 7th December 2007 Annual Branch Christmas Social Details and venue to be announced
	Sunday 16th December 2007 11am Drumcliffe Bay iWEBS - the second part of the Irish Wetland Bird Survey - an annual census of birds using Sligo's wetlands. Meet at Cartron Inn car park at 11 am.
January 2008	Sunday 20th January 2008 11 am Ballisodare Bay iWEBS - the third and final part of the Irish Wetland Bird Survey - an annual census of birds using Sligo's wetlands. Meet at Cartron Inn car park at 11 am.

HEN HARRIER SIGHTINGS WANTED:

As part of a research project on Hen Harriers (see above), a large number of young birds have been wing-tagged, and re-sightings of these birds will shed light on the movements and wintering locations of young harriers. Please send re-sightings directly to the project co-ordinator Barry O'Donoghue (details below) or by emailing this website.

Barry writes:

"We have tagged 40 Hen Harrier chicks across the west and south of the country this year with a view to finding out where Irish Hen Harriers go for the winter, where the harriers at our roosts are coming from, how far young harriers disperse from their natal areas, and whether they return to home grounds to breed - the potential wealth of information to be garnered goes on and on, and is vital in better understanding the conservation needs of this amazing but rare and threatened species in Ireland. Already a number of sightings of tagged Hen Harriers have been made, most notably one from West Clare which was seen on the north coast of Derry"

So keep an eye out for tagged harriers, and anyone who wishes to take part in the upcoming National Hen Harrier Winter Roost Survey, now in its third year, is invited to contact Barry at Barry.O'Donoghue@environ.ie or on 065-9051640.

____________________________________________________________________________________

OUTING TO KILLASPUGBRONE, DORRINS STRAND AND CUMMEEN STRAND.
-Sunday 7th October at 1.30pm

Meet at Old Airport Road, Strandhill - where Old Airport Road meets the shore
____________________________________________________________________________________

"NATURAL HERITAGE OF SLIGO" - INVITATION TO OFFICIAL POSTER LAUNCH
- Click here for an invitation to the official launch of this beautifully produced poster.

This high quality full colour poster was produced under the County Sligo Heritage Plan 2007 - 2011, and a copy will be presented to each school in County Sligo this year. The poster will be launched by Councillor Jim McGarry, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council in the Council Chambers on Wednesday 13th June 2007 at 7 pm. The launch will be followed (weather permitting) by a Nature Walk along the Garravogue River, led by Dr Don Cotton, Ecologist and Lecturer at Sligo Institute of Technology.

____________________________________________________________________________________

GOLDEN EAGLE CHICK HATCHES IN DONEGAL
- first Irish Golden Eagle chick for almost 100 years hatched in Donegal, a major milestone for the re-introduction project.

See the official press release here, and a high-resolution photo of the newly hatched eaglet here. Full details on the project, its aims and progress to date are on the project's website www.goldeneagle.ie. ____________________________________________________________________________________

GET FREE TEXT ALERTS
- there really are no catches!

Please click here to find out how to sign up to Birdwatch Sligo's new free SMS texting service - this will be a reminder service for BirdWatch Ireland events in Sligo, and for any other major breaking local news.

____________________________________________________________________________________

NESTING COMMON BUZZARDS IN CO. SLIGO
- a new breeding bird for Connacht?

A pair of Common Buzzards have built a nest in a wooded area, and appear to be incubating eggs. This is thought to be the first record in modern times for Co. Sligo and may well be the first record for Connacht since the species began to spread southwards over the past couple of decades. Common Buzzards have not been recorded breeding in Co. Sligo since at least the turn of the 20th century.

The Historical Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland 1875-1900 shows Buzzards as uncommon breeders in counties Donegal and Tyrone only, and by the mid-20th century the species only bred on Rathlin Island, from where it appears to have re-colonised the north, and much of the east coast. The speed and success of the spread of buzzards is probably related to the ban on the use of strychnine as a poison to control foxes. In the UK the species has greatly increased in numbers, and in Shropshire it is estimated that there are up to 80 Buzzards in each 10 km square, ie almost one per square kilometre.

Little Egrets are likely to be the next species to be added to the list of birds breeding in the county in view of their breeding success in the south of Ireland and the increasing frequency of sightings. Up to five were present in Killala, Co. Mayo during the winter.
____________________________________________________________________________________

SUMMER 2007 OUTINGS Remember all events run by the branch are led by experienced local guides, are free of charge, and everyone is welcome!
June 2007	Sunday 10th June 2007 12.15pm. Outing to Aughris Head, to see breeding seabirds Meet at Collery’s Pub, Beltra.
May 2007	Sunday 20th May 2007 is National Dawn Chorus Day this year. 6.00am. Outing to Lissadell Meet at Lissadell Gatehouse (the one nearest to Carney village)
	Tuesday 8th May 2007 6.30pm. Outing to Dorrins Strand/Killaspugbrone to look at birds of the shore and sea. Meet at Old Airport Road, Strandhill - where the Old Airport Road meets the shore.
March 2007	Friday 09th March “Cape of Good Hope & Beyond” an illustrated talk by Dick Coombes of Birdwatch Ireland on his recent trip to South Africa. 8.15 pm at Sligo Institute of Technology, Room A004
February 2007	Friday 09th February “Why read rings?” an illustrated talk by Michael Casey, Birdwatch Sligo. 8.15 pm at Sligo Institute of Technology, Room A004 Sunday 11th February Outing to West Sligo. 12.15pm. Meet at Collery’s Pub, Beltra.
January 2007	Friday 12 January: What The Cat Brought In – an illustrated talk on predation by cats, by Tony Dunne (UCC zoologist). Room 004, Sligo I.T., 8:15pm. Saturday-Sunday 13-14 January: I-WeBS counts for Brent Goose Survey. (Meeting points to be announced on Friday 12th January.)
2006	Friday 1 December: Members’ evening and AGM, including recent reports on ringing recoveries and digital images by Mícheál Casey. Room 004, Sligo I.T., 8:15pm. Saturday 9 December: Sligo Branch Christmas Social at The Yeats Tavern, Drumcliffe. Places can be booked through Marita Wall (071) 917 1350. Sunday 12th November: Barnacle Goose outing to Lissadell. Meet at Cartron Shopping Centre car park, 12:00 noon. Monday-Friday 13-17 November: Science Week at Sligo I.T. (see Sligo Champion for details). Friday 17 November: Northabout Polar Circumnavigation – presentation by Jarlath Cunanne and Dr Michael Brogan. Room 004, Sligo I.T., 8:15pm. (Sponsored by Sligo I.T. Science Week Programme.) Saturday-Sunday 18-19 November: I-WeBS counts in Sligo Bay. (Meeting point to be announced on 17 November.)