Late November 2009 Update

To receive (or stop receiving) our Monthly Update by email, see details at the end of this Update

Change in BirdWatch Mayo Officers

At the recent AGM both the Chair, John Milroy, and Secretary, Wendy Stringer, stood down.  Both John and Wendy have been in their respective posts for a number of years, and worked extremely hard in the early years to establish the branch and to ensure that it continued to be as active as possible.  The newly elected Chair, Mick Hogan, and Secretary Ruth-Ann Leak would like to pass on thanks to both John and Wendy for their considerable efforts, and we only hope that we can be as equally committed. John and Wendy remain on the Branch Committee.

Upcoming Events - all events are free and open to the general public.  Outdoor events are subject to weather conditions.  Please contact named person before travelling to confirm it will be taking place.

Weds 25 Nov: ‘The Garden Bird Survey’ – a Public Talk by Niall Hatch (Development Officer, BWI).   If you are interested in garden birds or would like to take part in the most popular bird survey in Ireland, come along and learn how to take part in this survey.  There are approximately 70 households taking part in Mayo annually, and it would be great to increase this.  This survey feeds in data to the 2007-2011 Bird Atlas currently taking place throughout the country.  It is an easy way for birds in your area to be included in this Atlas.

Sat 28 Nov: Branch Outing to Westport Quay from 2-4pm – come along and have a look at the wide variety of birds that can be seen at this site.  Scopes and binoculars will be available which will allow close-up views of the birds, including larger birds such as Mute Swan, Grey Heron and Little Egret, as well as an extensive array of waders, gulls and other avifauna.
This event is weather-dependent – contact Mick on 087 4107277 before travelling.

Mon 30 Nov: Garden Bird Survey start date (weekly until Feb 2010)

12/13 Dec: Irish Wetlands Bird Survey. Later IWeBS Count Dates: 23/24 Jan, 20/21 Feb, 20/21 Mar

16/17 Jan: Light-bellied Brent Goose Census

Course Information

Bird Ringing Training Course Jan 2010 (Beginners)

The BTO and Copeland Bird Observatory are running a bird ringing training course suitable for people who have never ringed before as well as those who already hold trainee permits.  This course will be residential with all catering included.   
Date:          5.30pm Friday 29th  –  4.30pm Sunday 31st January 2010
Location:          Kilbroney Centre, Rostrevor, Co Down
Cost:              £95 per person
What’s included:     2 nights accommodation, all meals, ringing materials, and ringing training.

This weekend is an opportunity to learn some of the principles of the ringing scheme and to gain some first-hand experience of ringing techniques. You will be given a general overview of the ringing scheme as a whole, and a step-by-step introduction to 'processing' live birds - handling safely, securing rings, identifying species, age and gender. You will have hands-on experience as appropriate, appreciating that the most important caveat for any ringer is that the welfare of the bird always comes first. Weather permitting, we will demonstrate ringing at the Kilbroney Centre.  If at the end of the weekend you feel that you would like to take things further (and we can validate your basic competence), we will help you make contact with a suitable Trainer.

The ringing training will include:
•    Why ring?
•    The use of Mist Nets, and other trapping techniques.
•    How to handle birds.
•    How to fit rings (of many sizes).
•    Ageing and sexing of common birds.
•    Recording and management of ringing data.
•    Bird and people safety.
•    The work of the BTO and CBO.
Since the course involves handling live birds, the weekend is run by a team of highly experienced BTO/CBO Trainers. The course is limited to 12 places. There will be four 'trainers' looking after a maximum of three people at a time.  As numbers of trainees will be strictly limited early booking is recommended.
Shane Wolsey, BTO Ireland, 25 Ballyholme Esplanade, Bangor, Co Down  BT20 5LZ. 
(0)28 9146 7947

Information on Breeding Raptors Required

Damian Clarke, Red Kite Project Manager, is putting together the Irish Raptor Group Annual Report and needs any records of breeding raptors in Ireland during the 2009 season.

If you have any information you can pass on to Damien, please contact him before 14th December 2009 at the following:
Damian Clarke, Red Kite Project Manager, c/o Wicklow Mountains National Park, Laragh, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland, telephone 086 3284463

Other Information

eWings: This is a new electronic monthly service from BirdWatch Ireland, which contains national and international news and information. If you wish to receive the monthly eWings, contact: http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/     

Irish Rare Birds Report 2007: now available at http://www.irbc.ie/reports/irbr/2007_IRBR.pdf

Branch Contact Details: 
Chairperson:    Mick Hogan  087-410-7277
Secretary/Treasurer/Website  Ruth-Ann Leak 087 6432340 or 094 9257841 (eve or w/e)
PRO     Ger Rogan   087 6788699

Keep an eye on our website for future events, news and sightings, or to send in sightings:

Email Address:     This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it    

Website address:    www.birdwatchmayo.org

This Newsletter is available by email – just send your email address and let us know that you want to receive it (or stop receiving it) to:   This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Mayo Branch of BirdWatch Ireland

November 2009 Update

To receive (or stop receiving) our Monthly Update by email, see details at the end of this Update

On a personal note, and as I resign as Branch Secretary, can I thank all the people who have helped me, and the rest of the Branch Committee, since the re-start of the Branch.  Wendy.

Upcoming Events - all events are free and open to the general public.  Outdoor events are subject to weather conditions.  Please contact named person before travelling to confirm it will be taking place.

Thurs 5^th Nov: ‘Birds of Lough Carra’– a free Public Talk at 7.30pm by Chris Huxley in GMIT, Castlebar.

As most of you know, Chris, Lynda et al having been surveying Lough Carra for many years.  They have been helping to protect this incredible lake with its diverse habitats from its aquatic marl lakebed to its terrestrial limestone rocks. It has many species of orchid, butterfly and dragonfly.  Chris and Lynda have, in the past, brought us on walks along its shore and their knowledge about the lake and its environs appears unlimited.  

Lough Carra is a Special Protection Area, a Special Area of Conservation and a Natural Heritage Area.  

Please see the following website for more information about Lough Carra: HYPERLINK http://www.loughcarra.org

Thurs 5^th Nov: BWI Mayo Branch AGM at 6.30pm – all BWI members welcome.

01 Nov-31Dec – Early Winter Survey Bird Atlas 2007-2011 – the start of the third year – please consider taking on a tetrad, or sending in Roving Records.

Sat 07 Nov (9am-5pm) ‘What’s going on’ – an update on bird research and bird surveying in Northern Ireland at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island. This one-day conference will inform you of the massive amount of research and survey work currently being undertaken in Northern Ireland.  You do not have to be a BTO or BWI member to attend). Cost is £20.00 per person, which includes light lunch, coffee and registration.

If you would like more details, please email me at:  HYPERLINK "mailto: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it " This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  

14/15 Nov – Irish Wetlands Birds Survey and Greylag Goose Survey 

Helen Boland (co-ordinator of IWeBS) will be meeting IWeBS surveyors on Sat 14^th.  If interested, contact Wendy.

Weds 25 Nov: ‘The Garden Bird Survey’ – a Public Talk by Niall Hatch (Development Officer, BWI).   If you are interested in garden birds or would like to take part in the most popular bird survey in Ireland, come along and learn how to take part in this survey.  There are approximately 70 households taking part in Mayo annually, and it would be great to increase this.  This survey feeds in data to the 2007-2011 Bird Atlas currently taking place throughout the country.  It is an easy way for birds in your area to be included in this Atlas.

Sat 28 Nov: Branch Outing to Westport Quay from 2-4pm – come along and have a look at the wide variety of birds that can be seen at this site.  Scopes and binoculars will be available which will allow close-up views of the birds, including larger birds such as Mute Swan, Grey Heron and Little Egret, as well as an extensive array of waders, gulls and other avifauna.

This event is weather-dependent – contact Mick on 087 4107277 before travelling.

Mon 30 Nov: Garden Bird Survey start date (weekly until Feb 2010)

12/13 Dec: Irish Wetlands Bird Survey. Later IWeBS Count Dates: 23/24 Jan, 20/21 Feb, 20/21 Mar

16/17 Jan: Light-bellied Brent Goose Census

eWings: This is a new electronic monthly service from BirdWatch Ireland, which contains national and international news and information. If you wish to receive the monthly eWings, contact: HYPERLINK "http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/" http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/    

Irish Rare Birds Report 2007: now available at http://www.irbc.ie/reports/irbr/2007_IRBR.pdf

END OF SEASON MAYO UPDATE – October 2009

from Tim Gordon (BWI’s Corncrake Fieldworker for West Connaught)
The final tally of Corncrakes in Mayo in 2009 was 31 calling males, with 22 in Erris and 9 in South-west Mayo. Of these, 20 were on the Mullet Peninsula, including six around the BirdWatch Ireland meadows at Glebe and three each in the nearby townlands of Corclogh West and Carne, with four at the southern tip between Glosh, Surgeview and Fallmore, and four between Elly and Binghamstown. Two were off the peninsula, in Belmullet town and at Doohoma. Of the nine counted west of Louisburgh, seven were around the townlands of Roonagh, Aghany East and West and Emlough, with one each at Polgloss and Doughmakeon. These are the highest in both these areas since the inception of the conservation project in 1994 (when two Corncrakes were counted on the Mullet, and none in South Mayo).
Unusually, there were very few reports from outside these two areas. One heard in early May near Claremorris was probably passing through, as was the one heard in mid May for one day only at Muingelly, near Ballycastle. One was also heard for one day only at Mount Falcon, in the Moy Valley, at the end of May. One was reported too late to be confirmed or protected at a traditional site at Kilgalligan, near Carrowteige, North West Mayo, in early July. There were no reports from Achill, nor from around last year’s sole inland Mayo record at Frenchhill, Castlebar, although one was heard briefly at two locations west of Castlebar (Rathbaun and Lough Rusheen, near Cappa) in late April and early June.
Elsewhere in the West, six Corncrakes were recorded in Sligo, (the highest count in Sligo in the last 15 years), and 11 in Connemara (five on Turbot, three on Bofin, one on Omey and two on the mainland, at Cleggan and Renvyle). A total of 48 Corncrakes were counted in West Connacht, representing a 14% increase on last year. This matches the 14% increase in 2008, and follows increases of 5% in 2007, 3% in 2006, 6% in 2005, 18% in 2004 and 27% in 2003. Corncrake numbers here have now not seen a year-on-year decline since 2000, when the population dropped to 14, the lowest count to date in the West.
Six Corncrakes were confirmed in the Shannon Callows, an increase on last year’s four and a sign that all may not be lost for Corncrakes in the Callows just yet.
Nationally, 67 Corncrakes were counted in Donegal (down from 92 last year), three at Valentia, Co Kerry, two in Co Louth and one in Co Waterford, yielding a national total of 127 calling Corncrakes in 2009 (down from 142 last year).
The last reported calling Corncrake of the season in the West came from Inishturbot (Clifden Bay), where one was still calling as late as 1 September. This was also the site of the first calling Corncrake of the season, on 30 March. Both are exceptional early and late records.
Throughout the West Connacht region, 134 farmers, landowners and mowing contractors signed-up for the Corncrake Grant Scheme. Mowing or grazing was delayed in 426 hectares (1,020 acres), and 234 hectares (818 acres) were cut by Corncrake-friendly mowing (CFM), within the 250 metre radii of the established nocturnal calling perches of male Corncrakes. This represents 79% of the land area delayed and 85% entered into either the delay or CFM option of the grant scheme.
162 reports in all were made to the telephone hotline or via email. Many thanks to all who reported hearing a Corncrake this year. As ever, these reports were vital in helping track down and follow the birds and enable conservation measures be taken. Tim Gordon

Birds to look out for in November:

Geese continue to arrive eg Barnacle, Brent, Greylag, Pink-footed 

Unusual birds including Little Stint, Long-tailed Duck and the more unusual sandpipers and buntings

Whooper Swans - Please report all sightings

Winter gulls eg white-winged such as Glaucous and Iceland and other gulls such as Ring-billed Gull

Winter thrushes continue to arrive eg Redwing and Fieldfare

Branch Contact Details: Following the AGM in early Nov, some of the following will change.

Chairperson: John Milroy 086 8449113

Secretary/Newsletter: Wendy Stringer 086 3382808 or 098 21019 or

Treasurer/Website: Ruth-Ann Leak 087 6432340 or 094 9257841 (eve or w/e)

Ger Rogan (PRO) 087 6788699

Keep an eye on our website for future events, news and sightings, or to send in sightings:

Email Address: HYPERLINK "mailto: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it "   

Website address: www.birdwatchmayo.org 

This Newsletter is available by email – just send your email address and let us know that you want to receive it (or stop receiving it) to: HYPERLINK "mailto: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it " 

Mayo Branch of BirdWatch Ireland

October 2009 Update

To receive (or stop receiving) our Monthly Update by email, see details at the end of this Update

Upcoming Events - all events are free and open to the general public.  Outdoor events are subject to weather conditions. Please contact named person before travelling to confirm it will betaking place. 

Wed 7 October at 7.30pm: ‘Barn Owls’ – a free Public Talk by John Lusby (BWI’s Barn OwlResearch Officer) in Castlebar at the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology(GMIT).  Contact Ruth-Ann - 0876432340

NB – Please note that this Talk is on Wednesday

John Lusby has specialised in studying Barn Owl ecology for the past five years. He runs the Barn Owl Research Project, which is a collaboration between BirdWatch Ireland and University College Cork. One of the main aims of the project has been to learn more about the ecology of this elusive species in order to discover the reasons behind its dramatic population decline, and also to develop conservation measures to ensure its future protection in this country. The work thus far has had many significant findings, including the discovery of a small mammal species new to Ireland. The presentation will detail the various aspects of the research and its findings and also look at the future outlook for this iconic species. This summer, the project carried out work in Mayo. Therefore the insights gained, in terms of distribution, abundance and the ecology of the species will be put in a local context. 

The Barn Owl Research team welcome any help you can give to track down these wonderful birds. Please continue to send in any current or past records of Barn Owls. 

17/18 Oct:Light-bellied Brent Goose Census (and 16/17 Jan 2010). This census has continued annuallysince 1996.

The geese started to return to Mayo in late August this year, with the main arrivals nowdue. 

Branta berniclahrota are Ireland’s smallest geese and they can be seen on shoreline and coastal islands.  Our wintering population mainly breed in high arctic eastern Canada, mostly in the eastern Queen Elizabeth Islands.  They nest on the ground near fresh water lakes or rivers. They are grazers and, in Ireland, prefer Zostera, Enteromorpha and Ulva lactuca. Juveniles can be distinguished from adults in their first winter.  Many Brent have readable rings on their legs. If you see one with rings, please note what colour and number/letter are on both legs and report them. If you are unable to read the rings, let us know that a ringed bird is present.  Main sites where you can see Brent in Mayo are Broadhaven and Blacksod Bays, Killala Bay and Clew Bay, with 150-250 Brent to be seen at each site.

If you can help out with this census, please contact us.

24/25 Oct:Irish Wetlands Bird Survey. LaterIWeBS Count Dates: 14/15 Nov, 12/13 Dec, 23/24 Jan, 20/21 Feb, 20/21 Mar

BWI Mayo Branch AGM – date to be confirmed(all BWI members welcome)

Late October /Early November: Birds of Lough Carra – a Public Talk by Chris Huxley – please keep an eye on our website for exact details.

01 Nov-31Dec –Early Winter Survey Bird Atlas 2007-2011 – the start of the third year – please consider taking on a tetrad, or sending in Roving Records

Sat 07 Nov 2009(9am-5pm) ‘What’sgoing on’ – an update on bird research and bird surveying in Northern Ireland at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island. This one-day conference will inform you of the massive amount of research and survey work currently being undertaken in Northern Ireland.  

Speakers include: K Leonard, K Mackie,L Chivers, I Tomankove, A McGeehan, N McKee, S Wolsley, D Leech, E Meredith andI Enlander.

Co-ordinated byShane Wolsley of BTO Ireland (you do not have to be a BTO or BWI member toattend).

Cost is £20.00 perperson, which includes light lunch, coffee and registration.

If you would likemore details, please email me at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

14/15 Nov - Greylag Goose Survey

25 Nov: ‘The Garden Bird Survey’ – a Public Talk by Niall Hatch (Development Officer, BWI).

28 Nov: Branch Outing to Westport Quay

Please report all sightings of: Brent Geese and Whooper Swans (before the upcoming surveys)

Birds to lookout for in October:

·      Increasing numbers of Little Egret, waders and ducks on the shoreline, in bays and on the lakes

·      Geese continue to arrive eg Barnacle, Brent, Greylag, Pink-footed

·      Unusual birds including Little Stint, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Long-tailed Duckand the more unusual sand pipers and buntings

·      Whooper Swans

·      Winter gullseg white-winged such as Glaucous and Iceland and other gulls such as Ring-billed Gull

·      Winter thrushes eg Redwing and Fieldfare

·      Sea Watching continues at headlands around Mayo eg Kilcummin, Downpatrick, Annagh

·      Late summer migrants eg Swallow, House Martin,

Passage migration is in full swing at various headlands around the county. Highest daily totals included: 300 Pomarine Skua, 93 Great Skua, 22 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua, as well as over 500 Sooty Shearwater, over 100 Great Shearwater and small numerous of Cory’s and Balearic Shearwater. There was also small numbers of both Leach’s and Storm Petrels. Other species included Grey Phalarope, Puffin, Arctic and Sandwich Tern and Sabine’sGull as well as the arrival of Barnacle Geese.

Recent Sightings/Reports - The following are as reported:

The Snowy Owl near the Stone Circle at Termon Hill at the south of the Mullet peninsula has been seen numerous times over the last month. Watch out for Lapland Bunting in the same area and at Annagh Head

04 Oct             Tree Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap on the Mullet (D Suddaby)

01 Oct             1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Tramore, Shraigh, and 3 Slavonian Grebe offShraigh beach, also 1

Peregrine Falcon (M Reilly)

29 Sept                1 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 14 Chough at Annagh Marsh on the Mullet (M Reilly)

29 Sept             SeaWatchat Annagh Head (from 18.00-19.00) 35 Sooty Shearwater, 40 Great Skua, 17Pomarine Skua,

7 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver and 40 Barnacle Geese (M Reilly)

26 Sept             1Snow Bunting at Annagh on the Mullet (M Reilly)

26 Sept             1juvenile Sabine’s Gull, 2 Grey Phalarope during seawatch at Annagh Head (MReilly)

23 Sept             1different adult American Golden Plover at Annagh Beach/Annagh Head on theMullet (D Suddaby)

22 Sept             1Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 1 adult moulting American Golden Plover at DunnamboGladree on the

Mullet (M Reilly)

22 Sept             1Black-browed Albatross flying south at Annagh Head on the Mullet, 1 SolitarySandpiper near Annagh

on the Mullet (D Suddaby)

            1 juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 1 American Golden Plover at Termoncarragh,Mullet (D Suddaby)

19 Sept             9Lapland Bunting and 1 adult Long-tailed Skua at Erris Head on the Mullet (DSuddaby)

1 adult Yellow-legged Gull at Annagh Beachon the Mullet (D Suddaby)

19 Sept             1Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 100+ Twite Erris Head, Mullet (C Benson)

18 Sept             2 Mediterranean Gull at Belmullet Docks (1 adult, 1 1^st winter) (DSuddaby)

2 second winter Ring-billed Gull at AnnaghHead and Annagh Beach on the Mullet (D Suddaby)

18 Sept             1Lesser Whitethroat on the Mullet and 1 Peregrine near Ballinrobe (C Benson)

1 Yellow-legged Gull at Annagh Beach on theMullet (D Suddaby)

13 Sept             1st winter Citrine Wagtail and 1 White Wagtail Corragaun Lough, near Louisburgh (DBreen)

Juvenile Little Stint with two Dunlin atRoonah Lough. Also, flock of 17 Knot, 70 Lapwing, 1st winter ringed

Mediterranean Gull (D Breen)

02 Sept             1male in eclipse Ring-necked Gull on Carrowmore Lake, Bangor, and 2 juvenileCurlew Sandpipers at Annagh

Beach on the Mullet (M Reilly)

Branch ContactDetails:

John Milroy(Chair)0868449113         

Wendy Stringer(Sec/Newsletter)0863382808 or 098 21019 or

Postal Address:WendyStringer, Knappagh, Westport, Co Mayo

Ruth-Ann Leak(Treasurer/Website)0876432340 or 0949257841 (eve or w/e)

Ger Rogan (PRO)0876788699

Keep an eye on ourwebsite for future events, news and sightings, or to send in sightings:

Email Address:                                This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it               

Website address:www.birdwatchmayo.org

This Newsletter is available byemail – just send your email address and let us know that you want to receive it (or stop receiving it to: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Tidy Towns Competition 2009

Adjudication Report

         Centre:         Crossmolina

        County:         Mayo

      Category:         C

             Ref:         711

           Mark:         225

        Date(s):         09/06/09

                                                   Maximum            Mark  Mark                Awarded2009

OverallDevelopment Approach                               50                                   30

The BuiltEnvironment                                      50                                   24

Landscaping                                      50                                   30

Wildlife andNatural Amenities                                50                                   20

LitterControl                                     50                                   35

WasteMinimisation                                      20                                   10

Tidiness                                             30                                   16

ResidentialAreas                                40                                   21

Roads,Streets and Back Areas                                 50                                   31

GeneralImpression                                        10                                   8

TOTAL MARK                                  400                                225

Overall Development Approach:

Crossmolina Tidy Towns Association is welcomed to the2009 Competition. Many thanks for your

comprehensive and thorough submission, which made veryinteresting reading. You would appear to take an active part in all aspects ofthe local community and care a great deal about the town, and its future. Wewere pleased to hear of your close relationship with the Angling Association.Congratulations on your participation and success in the Pride of PlaceCompetition - well deserved! The area development plan has obviously been veryhelpful to you in your work. The work in relation to farm gate colours soundslike a good initiative. The inventory of historic buildings will be a mostinteresting document to read, as the town is obviously steeped in history. Goodluck with your application regarding a Heritage Trail and signage.Congratulations on your website, I’m sure it’s most useful for you to help getyour message across. We read with interest that you tackled the areas commentedupon in last year’s report, this is a good way to plan your work for the year.

The Built Environment:

The commercial premises of the town weregenerally well cared for on the day. The Catholic Church was very fresh, withfreshly painted statuary and well tended grounds. The adjacent National Schoolwas also in good condition and proudly sported its Green Flag on the day. Wenoted ongoing work to St Tiernan’s College and presume that its boundary wallwill be painted, when work is complete. The montbretia over-spilling must makea marvellous display when in full bloom. The GAA grounds looked extremely freshand the creeper clad walls give a cheerful greening to this area! Thetraditional stepped garage of Crossmolina Motors was greatly admired. Walshe’sis an attractive traditional shopfront with its original sash windows.Hickson’s is another attractive traditional front, which would benefit from afresh coat of paint. Leonard’s is another traditional front, and sported someattractive floral displays for sale. The Pharmacy on Chapel Street was veryfresh, as was the Dolphin. The Library looked well in its prominent location atthe top of the street, and the Post Office was quite fresh. Davis’ Brothers isan attractive vernacular building.

Landscaping:

The park area beyond the Catholic Church, comprisingof nature garden was well maintained on the day. The playground area on theCastlebar Road was being well used on the day and was fresh and well presented.The cruxifix had also been freshly painted and looked very bright on the day.The beautiful mature trees on the grassy verge on the Ballina Road lookedmarvellous. The magnificent planted gravel beds on grassy verges, with treesmaturing nicely in the vicinity of the GAA grounds, were particularly admired.The landscaped area on the Castlebar Road also looked very well. The gravelledbed just below the church on Chapel Road was greatly admired. The Easter Liliesin this location looked very elegant. The sculpture at the water’s edge wasadmired.

Wildlife and Natural Amenities:

You show great interest in this area of thecompetition and it was with interest that we learned of the two

endangered species that live in local waterways, thefreshwater pearl mussel and grey crayfish. The

Crossmolina Loop walks are marvellous asset to have soclose to the town with so much for the visitor and

local resident alike. We were pleased to hear that youavoid pesticides/herbicides in your work. We read with interest of yourclustering of planting to encourage habitats and your awareness of small scalehabitats. The talk in association with Mayo County Council and the WildlifeAssociation sounded most interesting. We wish you luck with your nesting boxes.

Litter Control:

The standard in this category of the competition wasexcellent, as expected. We were pleased to see the

award for winning the Mayo County Council LitterLeague proudly displayed on the Ballina Road. The active

litter group are obviously having great effect,picking litter daily during summer months. Good luck with your

purchase of a small sweeper.

Waste Minimisation:

The recycling area was well presented in its prominentlocation at the roadside. We were pleased to hear, it is one of the busiest inthe country. The mulching and composting of the results of your work are a goodidea. The recycling evening including fashion show sounded good fun, as well asinformative! The composting evening was another excellent initiative.

Tidiness:

The town generally looked neat and well cared for onthe day. A traditional shed at the Killala side of Church

Street could benefit from a fresh coat of paint, ascould a tin roof of an outbuilding further along this street. A

number of premises still sported Christmas lights,which looked somewhat unseasonal.

Residential Areas:

We were pleased to hear that local residents associationsattend your meetings and that three new

associations have formed this year. There is nosubstitute for the active participation of all concerned in order to achievethe best results. The housing estate at Abbeytown was admired and wellpresented. Street houses along Chapel Street were very fresh. Individual houseson the Ballina Road were fresh and sported some attractive gardens. The housesof Knockglas townland also looked well. Attractive montbretia was admired tothe garden of a house on the Ballina Road. A modern intervention to the streetnear Leonard’s is a very sensitive treatment of the streetscape. Churchview wasa well maintained estate. The Best Kept Housing Estate Competition is anothergood idea.

Roads, Streets and Back Areas:

The approach roads were quite good on the day,although the practice of advertising hoardings should be

discouraged as they can give a rather clutteredappearance. The Killala Road was well maintained, with a

large expanse of grassy verges at the Church of Ireland,it appeared quite overgrown, however, beyond the

nameplate sign. The gravel bed at the nameplate wasadmired. The monbretia in this location will be

spectacular, when it comes into full bloom. TheBallina Road was very well presented with well cut grass verges. The newhedging and groves of trees were admired. It was weedy further out this road,however. Tree planting on the Castlebar Road made a good impression. Thenameplate sign on the Chapel Road was in need of some attention.

General Impression:

It was a pleasure to visit Crossmolina after manyyears. It is a busy working town with much to offer, set

against the magnificent backdrop of the NephinMountain

Mayo Branch of BirdWatch Ireland

August 2009 Update

To receive (or stop receiving) this Monthly Updateby email, see details at the end of this Update

UpcomingEvents:

Weds 5 Augat 7pm: Walk in Carrowtiege/Benwee Head Area.  Meetat the Carrowteige Community Centre for a walk in the area to view thebirdlife.  Suitable clothing andfootwear should be worn.
This outing is weather dependent - check first before travelling - Ruth087-643-2340 or Mick 087-410-7277

Sat 15 Aug - We will have a stall at the SwinfordAgricultural Show. Dosay ‘hello’ if you are there.

http://www.swinfordagrishow.com/Index.html

Sun 16 August - Pelagic Trip (organised by Dave Suddaby)

A pelagic trip off the Mullet Peninsula on theDúlra Na Mara boat to the 200m-shelf edge for ‘chumming’ and watching the birdactivity around trawlers.  Meet 7amat Blacksod Pier, back 6.30pm approx

(http://www.dulranaturetours.com/about.html).            Cost:€100 per person (includes food and drink).

There will be a 24-hour cancellation notice (if thetrip is cancelled due to weather or not enough interest) then it will bere-scheduled for Sunday 30th August, and those that have booked on for the 16thwill have first preference. 

If you areinterested, contact Dave directly by email:         This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Late August/ Early September – aSeaWatching event willtake place. This event cannot be planned in advance, as it is weather andwind-dependent. Contact John Milroy on 086-844-9113 or check website duringlate August

SeaWatching isone of the highlights of the autumn when you should see many different speciesof Shearwater (Manx, Sooty, Balearic), Skuas (Arctic, Pomarine, Long-tailed)and other birds including various auks. Storm Petrels should also be seen andare the smallest seabird in the world weighing approximately 30gm.  These amazing birds lay just one egg,are long-lived and mate for life

26/27 Sept -IWeBS: As summer fadesinto autumn, we will once again be taking part in the Irish Wetland BirdsSurvey. If you are interested in helping us, please contact one of thecommittee. To read more about IWeBS:

http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Ourwork/SurveysProjects/IrishWetlandBirdSurvey/tabid/111/Default.aspx

Wed 7October: Barn OwlResearch Project – a Public Talk by John Lusby. ContactWendy on 086-338-2808

Late October/ Early November: Birds of Lough Carra – a Public Talk by Chris Huxley. Contact Ruth on087-6432-340 or 094-9257841 (eves w/e)

Wed 25November: GardenBird Survey – a talk by Niall Hatch (DevelopmentOfficer, BWI). Contact Ruth on 087-6432-340 or 094-9257841 (eves w/e)

Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre:

This newly-opened centre is definitely worth a visit (Ihave been and it is fantastic). Admission is free.

It includes an introduction to the landscape of the NephinBeg Mountain Range and Owenduff Bog, one of the last active blanket bog systemsin Ireland and Western Europe.  Ithas a brilliant interactive exhibition on the habitats of Ballycroy NationalPark and the surrounding area.  The2km Nature Trail leads you gently to the top of the hill, with its panoramicoutlook and interpretation boards. The Tearoom and the Viewing Tower on top of the Centre offer more greatviews.  Congrats to Sue, Dennis,Cameron, Mags et al on a great new attraction to the Mayolandscape. 

Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it                                                          Website:www.ballycroynational park.ie

Contact them at 098 49888 for information andopening hours.

DaubentonBat Survey – this takesplace twice during August. Contact Tina Aughney (Bat Conservation Ireland) forfurther details, phone 046 9242882 or 086 4049468 or see website:         www.batconservationireland.org      

 
Hen Harriers: (fromBarry O’Donoghue, NPWS)
The 5^th year of the Hen Harrier Winter Survey starts again inOctober.  There are now over 60winter roosts in the country. Young birds wing-tagged this year are sporting yellow tags on their leftwings.  Right wings are taggedaccording to where they have been tagged: Black (Clare/Galway), Red (Kerry),Yellow (Cork/Limerick)

Barn Owls: please continue to send in any current or past sightingsof these magnificent birds.  TheBarn Owl Research Officers welcome any help you can give to track down thesewonderful birds.

Bird Atlas2007-2011 – with surveywork recommencing in November, now is a good time to enter all your collecteddata, both Roving Records and Tetrad Surveys before the start of the third year(second last) season.

BirdWatch Ireland Courses 2009 on Cape Clear Island, Co Cork

·     BeginningBird-watching Courses (Sat-Sun): 22/23 Aug, 19/20 Sept

·     Birds,Butterflies and Flowers Course (Mon-Fri): 10-14 August 2009 

·     Migrationand Seabirds Course (Mon-Fri): 7-11 Sept 2009

Contact BWI Head Office in Wicklow at 01 2819878 or check out theirwebsite: www.birdwatchireland.ie

Recent Sightings/Reports:  The ‘Sea Watching’ season has started. Thefollowing may not have been verified. Remember to report rarities to the appropriate group. Apologies for anyI have missed

04 Aug                2juvenile Mediterranean Gull (one darvic-ringed) at Roonagh, Louisburgh (PLonergan)

01 Aug                SeaWatchat Kilcummin Head – 37 Storm Petrel, 6 Sooty Shearwater, 3 Balearic Shearwater,18 Great

Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua, 11 ArcticSkua  (J Donaldson, S Feeney et al)

01 Aug                SeaWatchat Annagh Head – 1 Great Skua, c 2,500 Manx Shearwater per hour, c 40 StormPetrel per

hour (D Suddaby)

19 Jul                  SeaWatchat Kilcummin Hd (05.50-16.00) 6 Storm Petrel, 8 Common Scoter, 15 Great Skua,922

Manx Shearwater, 5 Sooty Shearwater (ALauder, S Feeney, J Donaldson)

17 July                SeaWatchat Kilcummin Head: 2 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua (J Donaldson, S Feeney)

15 July                SeaWatchat Kilcummin Head (1 hr): 1 Storm Petrel and 265 Manx Shearwater (M Bell)

15 July          SeaWatchat Ross Strand, Killala (1 hr): 300 Manx Shearwater (M Bell)

12 July                2Wood Warblers in song at Drummin Wood, near Pontoon (middle car park) (SMeaney)

11 July                40Whimbrel at Cornfield near Hollymount (C Benson)

11 July          2Wood Warbler at Drummin Wood (J Milroy)

10 July          1American Golden Plover in summer plummage at Roonah Lough, west of Louisburgh(P Lonergan)

07 July                SeaWatch Totals from Kilcummin Head (8 hrs): 3, 500 Manx Shearwater, 1 SootyShearwater,

1 Red-throated Diver, 7 Great Skua, 2Arctic Skua, 3 Pomarine Skua, 6 Storm Petrel, 1 Peregrine

(J Donaldson, S Feeney)

07 July          SeaWatch at Downpatrick Head (1 hr): 162 Manx Shearwater, 3 Puffin, 3 Great Skua(M Bell)

06 July                SeaWatch at Kilcummin Head (3 hrs): 1 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Storm Petrel,

29 Common Scoter, 5, 400 ManxShearwater, 1 Peregrine (J Donaldson)

BranchContact Details:

John Milroy(Chair)                         0868449113   

Wendy Stringer(Sec/Newsletter)          0863382808 or 098 21019 or

Postal Address:                      WendyStringer, Knappagh, Westport, Co Mayo

Ruth-Ann Leak(Treasurer/Website)          0876432340          or         0949257841 (eve or w/e)

Ger Rogan (PRO)                           0876788699

Keep an eye onour website for future events, news and sightings, or to send in sightings:

Email Address:                      This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it                

Website address:                      www.birdwatchmayo.org

This Newsletter is available byemail – just send your email address and let us know that you want to receiveit (or stop receiving it) to:                  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

TIDY TOWNS – GARDENERS WORLD

The Tidy Towns Committee are delighted to be holding their first ever Gardeners World in Crossmolina.

Date: Friday 24^thJuly 2009

Venue: Outside the Old Davis Stores 

Time: 1pm – 3pm.

There will be shrubs, plants, containers, window boxes, hanging baskets, fresh floral arrangements and handmade greeting cards all on sale.  

There will also be organically grown vegetables for you to sample.

There will be experts available to give advice on growing your own vegetables, lawn care, rose care, weed control and landscaping.  

We will also have advice on pet care, feeding wild birds, recycling and composting as well as a few surprises.  

Come along, have a cup of tea, relax have a browse, a chat and hopefully an enjoyable couple of hours.