Directions to Skerries Rugby Club
he branch would like to thank the following for their generous support in sponsoring prizes at our Annual Fundraising Quiz night:
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What is the Dawn Chorus?
National Dawn Chorus Day - a day when many first-time bird watchers (or bird-listeners!) across Ireland will set their alarm clocks a little earlier than usual and go out to enjoy a morning of beautiful birdsong. BirdWatch Ireland will be running outings starting in darkness throughout the country … some as early as 4am!.
Woodland and garden birds sing throughout the day, so why not just listen to them then? Well, that is certainly a very worthwhile thing to do, but the most amazing thing about the period just before dawn is the sheer number of birds singing and the high volume of their songs. People who have never before experienced a full dawn chorus in a woodland park or even a well-wooded garden are often astonished by how many birds seem to be involved.
As first light approaches, a Robin will often be the first bird to start off (often while it is still dark), quickly followed by other members of the Thrush family: Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Mistle Thrushes. Then all the smaller birds such as Chaffinches, Great Tits Dunnocks and Blackcaps will add their voices into the rising cacophony. Finally the gentle cooing of Wood pigeons often provides a soothing background, just as the sun breaks the horizon.”
The dawn chorus is one of nature's greatest spectacles, one that is so easily missed as it all takes place before we're even out of bed. If you and your family are interested in hearing the dawn chorus for yourselves, with experts on hand to tell you all about the birds that you are hearing, then why not make a date to take part in one of the free dawn chorus events (open to members and non-members alike) that are being run by BirdWatch Ireland branches across the country on 15th May?
All events are open to the public and are free of charge; it is not necessary to be a member of BirdWatch Ireland to attend. Children are very welcome, but must be supervised by a parent or guardian. Please note that dogs and other pets are not permitted.
We hope to see you there!
Frank Prendergast
PRO Fingal Branch of BirdWatch Ireland