Forthcoming Nature Events

whyulittle

The Recovery of the Pine Marten and the Decline of the Invasive Grey Squirrel in the Midlands
Thursday September 12th @ 20:00 in Offaly

The pine marten or “tree cat” is one of Ireland’s rarest wild mammals. It is a protected species and is very difficult to spot. The grey squirrel on the other hand is an introduced species since 1911 and is considered highly invasive and having a negative impact on our native red squirrel population. Drawing from her extensive Ph.D. research project in the Midlands, Emma Sheehy will deliver a talk and discern what impact these two mammals may have upon each other in their respective habitats. Venue: Clara Bog Visitor Centre. Tel: 057 9368878. Admission is free.

https://www.facebook.com/events/499827843439220/

magicbastarder

there's a talk about the wild boar in the national museum tomorrow, given by ruth carden.

whyulittle

That was a good talk tonight on the Pine Marten/Grey Squirrel, worth going to if you see it on somewhere again.

whyulittle

Meet native birds of prey with An Taisce – the National Trust for Ireland!

Come along and meet Irish birds of prey at close quarters next Monday (31 March) in Corkagh Park near Clondalkin, Dublin. A fun, educational event for all the family. A chance to interact with and learn about some of our most iconic wildlife.

We'll be in Corkagh Park from 11.00 am until 4.00 pm so feel free to drop by and meet some of Ireland’s amazing wildlife.

To find us go through the front entrance past the pet farm, and we will have a stall and exhibition area set up to the left of the fairy wood.

The event is being held as part of South Dublin County Council's Eco-Week 2014:
http://www.sdcc.ie/sites/default/files/publications/ecoweek-english-fa_0.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/events/1529948043898251/

Velvet shank

BioBlitz 2014 details here...

http://bioblitz.biodiversityireland.ie/

whyulittle

Pine Marten Day in Galway
Thursday May 1st in Galway - FREE but booking required at katemcaney@vwt.org.uk

Throughout Europe, May 1st is celebrated as an ancient spring festival, marking the true arrival of spring. But in Galway in 2014, it will mark a day-long meeting focussed on the pine marten in Ireland, the first such day devoted to all issues relating to this native woodland mammal.

The event is being organised by Kate McAney, the VWT's Mammal Development Manager in Ireland, and Dr Colin Lawton from the School of Natural Sciences at NUI Galway and will take place at the Ardilaun Hotel, Taylor’s Hill.

http://www.mammals-in-ireland.ie/news/vwt-news/2014/02/18/a-day-for-the-pine-marten-in-galway-on-may-1st
http://www.mammals-in-ireland.ie/news/vwt-news/2014/04/11/update-on-pine-marten-day-in-galway-thursday-may-1st

whyulittle

Talk on White-Tailed Eagle Reintroduction Project
Wednesday May 7th in Nenagh - FREE

Dr Allan Mee, manager of The Golden Eagle Trust's White-Tailed Eagle Reintroduction Project will be giving a free lecture in Nenagh Arts Centre on Wednesday 7th of May.

Please feel free to pass on this information to those you feel would be interested or for further information or to reserve a place please contact Nenagh Arts Centre on 067-34400.

https://www.facebook.com/BirdWatchIreland?fref=ts&filter=2

whyulittle

Help Monitor White-tailed Eagle Nests
Saturday May 10th @ 11:00 in Co. Clare - FREE

Anyone interested in getting to know more about how to help monitor White-tailed Eagles are welcome to:

Mountshannon Creche, Mountshannon, Co. Clare – Sat 10 May 1100-1300hrs approx.

All interested in helping with eagle nest monitoring are welcome. The crèche is located on the Scarriff side of Mountshannon, on the left as you enter the town from the south and next door to the National School.

Because of the expansion in the breeding range (Kerry, Cork, Clare and Galway) and number of pairs (13 at least so far this spring), there is an ever greater need for voluntary effort to monitor nests. In addition many volunteers interact with the general public on a daily basis at Mountshannon and do a great job showing White-tailed Eagles to the public.

Hope to see ye there:-)

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=702082423183007&id=144404808950774&stream_ref=1

Woodville56

Thanks for "heads up" on that whyulittle , have some time on my hands over the summer so might drop by !

whyulittle

An Taisce go Wild in Wicklow
Wednesday May 28th @ 09:30 in Dublin>Wicklow - FREE but booking required

As part of Biodiversity Week An Taisce are hosting a free wildlife excursion in County Wicklow. We will be getting on O'Gradys Coach on Nassau Street outside Trinity College at 09:30 sharp.

From there we will drive to our first stop where we will hear about The Golden Eagle Trust's reintroduction of Red Kites to Ireland. We will try to spot these magnificent birds as we go on a nature walk.

We will stop for lunch before we drive on to the world famous Glendalough valley. At 14:00 we will meet up with a guide from the NPWS's Education Center who will bring us on a nature walk through the valley.

We will leave Glendalough at 16:00 and return to Dublin City Center.

This event is FREE and open to all but spaces are limited to 20.

Everyone should bring a packed lunch, waterproofs, good walking shoes and if possible binoculars.

The walk's are graded easy and suitable for all ages.

If you wish to attend book your place by emailing Fintan at naturalenvironment@antaisce.org

https://www.facebook.com/events/704267186262370/

whyulittle

Talk from photographer Nigel Beers Smith
Tuesday May 27th @ 20:00 in Laois - FREE

The next meeting of the Laois branch of BirdWatch Ireland will be held on Tuesday evening 27 May, when photographer Nigel Beers Smith will talk about his experience during the summer of 2013 documenting the white tailed sea eagles of Mountshannon - the first pair to breed successfully in Ireland for over 100 years.

The presentation will include a short video clip and selection of superb photographs, many of which appear in Nigel’s book on the Mountshannon eagles: “Ireland’s First”.

The meeting will be at the Portlaoise Parish Centre at 8pm.

The talk is open to everyone with an interest in wildlife.

Entry is free but all contributions are welcome.

https://www.facebook.com/laois.heritage.forum/posts/708847525847116

V_Moth

South Dublin Branch of BirdWatch Ireland have an outing in Shankill to see Sand Martins tomorrow morning:

http://www.southdublinbirds.com/events/events.php

whyulittle

Talk on Nature Conservation & Farming Techniques
Wednesday November 26th @ 19:00 in Clara Bog Visitor Centre - FREE

Michael Martyn, agri-environment consultant, will deliver a talk on how nature conservation often requires specialised farming techniques to thrive.

Working as an agricultural advisor Michael has seen the changes in Irish farming practices over the past 50 years that have resulted in an alarming loss of biodiversity.

Michael believes conservation and modern agriculture can work in harmony together to the benefit of the farmer and the environment.

With over 15 years’ experience as a conservation planner, Michael will speak about some of the Midland’s most successful conservation projects.

Information on the new GLAS scheme will also be available.

https://www.facebook.com/ClaraBog/photos/a.410768898956312.102092.248704191829451/895780253788505/?type=1&permPage=1

trebor28

I attended a talk/ lecture by Gordon Buchanan tonight in cork.
He is currently touring the country showing clips of his expeditions and showing outtakes and explaining clips.
Takes questions from the audience and had prints available to buy.
The site for on for quite a while too over two hours.
Only cost €15.

V_Moth

Just a reminder that the South Dublin Branch of BirdWatch Ireland are holding a talk by Niall Keogh in Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel Castle hotel this evening starting at 8pm.

http://www.southdublinbirds.com/events/events.php

On Sunday there is a coach Outing to Louth.

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The day before, there is a bird race taking place in County Wicklow. Meeting point is the south end of Bray Promenade at 07.30; finishing at the Beehive Pub at 18.30. All skill levels encouraged! Some more info here:

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3151805&postcount=1

Woodville56

Just for info - not promoting the course or anything, might have a go myself though if I can get some more detail on course content etc. :P