HAS anyone else been hearing the shrill and ringing birdsong these last few weeks? It's just in time because birdwatching is all the rage this month. So wrap up warm and get winter watching our birds and native wildlife in the outdoors with three events being run by the RSBP in January.
At Drumgay Lough, Levaghy, Enniskillen the RSPB's Fermanagh team is inviting people to watch the wildlife on January 14. Organisers say there's a chance to see swans, geese and ducks – some of which have undertaken enormous journeys from Iceland, Scandinavia and western Russia – winter weathering in the area.
"You'll learn how to separate the divers from the dabblers, female ducks of different species and even hear buzzards overhead. If luck is really on our side, a chance encounter with an otter is possible," says Amy Colvin from the RSPB.
Binoculars and telescopes will be provided. Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear are necessary. The events runs from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Portmore Lough, Aghalee in Co Antrim is the venue a week later on January 21, to see wintering wildfowl, including whooper swans from Iceland and huge flocks of lapwings and golden plovers displaying over chilly, wet meadows at this haven for nature. Call 028 9049 1547 or email amy.colvin@rspb.org.uk. Entry free for RSPB members and children aged under five. Non-member adult is £5/non-member child £2.50.
The Belfast Window On Wildlife (WOW) event at the Harbour Estate, 100 Airport Road West on Sunday January 22 to help prepare twitchers for the big garden birdwatch. For one day only the nature reserve will be completely free to visit between 10am and 3pm to get involved in bird cake building, nature arts and crafts and more. RSPB staff and volunteers will be on hand to help you learn some basic bird identification skills, with binoculars and telescopes available.
The reserve is also home to konik ponies who munch the ground into perfect conditions for all sorts of wildlife. Call 028 9046 1458 or email belfast.lough@rspb.org.uk.
