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Mayo Branch - BirdWatch Ireland - 15-02-2010 10:49
Mayo Branch of BirdWatch Ireland
January / February 2010
To receive (or stop receiving) our Monthly Update by email, see details at the end of this Update
Introduction
The previous few weeks have been an interesting time in the bird watching world. First the flooding caused numbers of waders and swans to move from their usual feeding and roosting grounds to find more suitable habitat. This was followed by the cold spell making it difficult for birds to find food. Lakes were frozen over, fields were covering in thick frost and snow for some time and food was scarce. Not only did this make it difficult to go out and bird watch, but if you did manage to get to your favourite spot, then there was a good chance that if there were any birds, then they were not your usual specialities.
Reports of large numbers of Redwings, Fieldfares and other thrushes visiting gardens and urban areas were received. Gardens where food was put out regularly became essential feeding points for birds, leading to unusual visitors to the bird table, such as Lapwing, Snipe and Gulls. Unfortunately numbers of birds not surviving the cold also became apparent, for this reason it is important that if you put out food during the cold weather that you continue to do so. With the cold weather promised to return, the birds that have survived so far will need every bit of help they can get. Please note – do not put out dry bread for the birds, as once eaten it can swell and cause problems. Moist bread is fine though.
On a more positive note, the weather over recent days has been good, meaning we can get the house again and when we do the sound of bird song is beginning to fill the air, along with the first signs of courtship and breeding. Over the last two weeks I have seen male Pheasants fighting to protect their area, a male Rook feeding its mate – the first sign of pairing, and heard both Collard Dove and Wood Pigeon in full song, and it won’t be long before positive signs of breeding and nest building will become apparent.
Notice
Since the changes in Committee Officers at our last AGM, the contact details for BWMayo have changed. Therefore if you have any sightings, information of queries please direct them to one of the named contacts at the end of this newsletter. You can also email us at the club email – birdwatchmayo@yahoo.com or write to us at the address given below.
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.
Wednesday 3rd February: Mayo’s Twite – Ireland’s Forgotten Bird - Derek McLoughlin, at the GMIT Castlebar from 7.30pm. Contact Ruth on 087-6432-340 or 094-9257841 (eves w/e)
20/21 Feb: Irish Wetlands Bird Survey. Final IWeBS Count Date: 20/21 March
Sunday 28th February: Outing to Killala Bay – to view the birds of the area. Meet at the Car Park overlooking the harbour at 1.30pm. Contact Ruth on 087-6432-340 or 094-9257841 (eves w/e)
Saturday 17th April: Bird Atlas Roving Event. Meet up and go for a walk, recording all the birds we see for the Bird Atlas. A great way to blow away the cobwebs. Time and location to be arranged. Contact Ruth on 087-6432-340 or 094-9257841 (eves w/e) or check website.
Photographic Exhibition of the Wildlife of County Mayo : 28th Jan – 21st Feb 2010
Kevin Murphy, Wildlife Photographer, is holding an exhibition of his photographs at the Customs House Studio, The Quay, Westport. The official opening of this event if at 7.30pm on Thursday 28th January 2010.
Bird Atlas
Brian Caffrey, Irish Co-Ordinator of the Bird Atlas, is looking for as many Roving Records as possible to help complete the picture. So if you are out and about, make a note of the birds you see and submit them either online at www.BirdAtlas.net or by post – a copy of the Roving Record Form is attached to this email.
The Branch have organised a Roving Event for April, please come along to help fill in the gaps. If this is successful then we may hold another event in June.
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
Recent Sightings
18 Jan : Male Ringed-neck Duck has returned to Carrowmore Lake, Bangor, Erris
13 Jan : Little Egret at Corragaun Lough, Tullavbaun, Killadoon
5 Jan : One first winter Glaucous Gull on Annagh Beach, on the Mullet
First 2 wks Jan : High concentration of birds feeding on machair at Tullavbaun, Killadoon including 300 Redwing, 20 Fieldfares, 100 Starling, 20 Meadow Pipits and 260 Golden Plover
Good numbers of Redwings, also Lapwings , Shelduck, Rock Doves and a Peregrine Falcon on Achill
4 Jan : 1 Female / Immature Long-tailed Duck off Dooinver beach, Achill
The elusive Water Rail at both Kilmaine and Achill during the cold weather
18 Dec : Buzzard east of Kilmaine
18 Dec: 1 whitephase Gyr Falcon in the bog / sika spruce are at Kilmovee
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/
Branch Contact Details:
Chairperson:Mick Hogan 087-410-7277
Secretary/Treasurer/Website:Ruth-Ann Leak 087 6432340 (day) 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: birdwatchmayo@yahoo.com
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: birdwatchmayo@yahoo.com
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