Birdwatch Kildare events

Birdwatch Kildare is running a number of events in the coming weeks, to which everyone interested is invited.The organisation was set up after a meeting in August, which organiser Niall Tierney says was 'very successful'.

On 7 October, BirdWatch Ireland’s Niall Hatch will give an illustrated presentation on garden birds. It will be held in the Training room, Level 0, Kildare County Council offices in Aras Chill Dara, Naas, beginning at 8pm.

A field trip to Ballinafagh Lake will take place on 9 October, a good local bird watching site in the Prosperous area. Further details on directions and arrangements for the fieldtrip will be available at the 7 October meeting. Suitable outdoor footwear and a rain jacket are suggested, and no dogs are allowed. Those interested are asked to meet in Prosperous at 8.45am for carpooling or at the lake car park at 9am.

Jamie Durrant, BirdWatch Ireland’s Membership Development Officer, has agreed to give a talk on 11 November entitled 'Beginning Bird watching', at 8pm, again at the County Council Offices in Naas. Jamie is a lifelong birder and brings infectious enthusiasm for birds and bird conservation.

On 13 November there will be a Bird Atlas event. The Atlas project is run by BirdWatch Ireland, and attending this event is a great way to contribute to a worthwhile conservation project. It will start in the car park of the Osprey Hotel in Naas at 10am and then meet in the hotel afterwards to chat our progress over a cup of tea. Again, please wear suitable outdoor footwear and bring a rain jacket. For information on the Bird Atlas check out www.bto.org/birdatlas.

BirdWatch Ireland Kildare has a Facebook page and photos, comments and questions are invited. Also, keep an eye out for the website www.birdwatchkildare.com, which will be up and running soon. For any other queries contact niallgtierney@gmail.com.