Programme of Events 2020
Unless otherwise stated all lectures are held at 8pm in The Pumphouse at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve (T076239)
January
Thursday 2nd: “The Duncannon Blue Flag Farming and Communities Scheme” by Brendan Cooney and Eoin Kinsella, Wexford County Council.
Saturday 11th: Improve your birdwatching skills. Workshop with Dave Daly 10.30am-1pm at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve (T026 239).
February
Thursday 6th: AGM at 7pm followed at 8pm by “More Than Just A Biological Data Hub: an overview of Ireland’s National Biodiversity Data Centre” by Ben Malone, National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Saturday 8th: Time and meeting place to be confirmed. Farm visit to Duncannon Blue Flag catchment followed by visit to Duncannon beach to see work being done to improve water quality in the area.
March
Thursday 5th: Gerald Barrett–Hamilton Memorial Lecture “Monitoring Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises in Irish Waters – The Power of Citizen Science” by Dave Wall, National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Saturday 14th: Spring woodland walk at Tintern Abbey, Saltmills. Meet at 11am in the car park at Tintern Abbey (S793 101). Leaders: Marion Brady and Paul Green
April
Thursday 2nd: 7pm at Enniscorthy Library, Lymington Rd. (S970 397). “Hedgerows Fit for Birds and Bees” by Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist.
Saturday 11th: Cliff walk in Rosslare Harbour with Gene Draper and Mick Clancy. Meet at 2pm in the car park at the top of the hill just after Supervalu, Rosslare Harbour (T132 123).
May
Thursday 7th: “St Clomaun’s Way” by Jim Hurley, WNFC member.
Saturday 9th: Nature walk along St Clomaun’s Way with Jim Hurley and Philomena Cahill. Meet at 2pm in Duncormick Church car park (S919 094).
Sunday 10th: Dawn Chorus Walk with Dave Daly at the Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig. Meet at 4.15am in the car park (T010 228).
June
Thursday 4th: “Meadows for Pollinators” by Dr Úna FitzPatrick, National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Saturday 13th: 10am-4pm BioBlitz at Johnstown Castle Estate.
Tuesday 16th-Friday 19th: Midweek trip to Westmeath. Further details will be announced in newsletter.
July
Thursday 2nd: 7pm at Wexford Town Library, Mallin St. (T047 219). Wexford Library’s Chris Wilson Memorial Lecture “The Amazing Swift” by Lynda Huxley, Swift Conservation Ireland. This lecture will be followed by a guided walk around the town to look for Swifts and possible nest sites.
Saturday 11th: Coach trip to Co. Kildare to visit Butterfly Conservation Ireland Reserve and Calverstown House (Farming for Nature). Coach fare €25. For further information and booking contact the Club Secretary. €10 non-refundable deposit required with booking.
August
Thursday 6th: “Coillte Nature” by Dr Ciarán Fallon, Director of Coillte Nature.
Saturday 8th: Short presentation of some of the highlights of our 2019 BioBlitz followed by a walk around the grounds of Monksgrange, Rathnure with Jeremy Hill. Meet at 2pm in the open area at the front of Monksgrange House (S825 414).
September
Thursday 3rd: “INFOMAR, Ireland’s Seabed Mapping Programme” by Ronan O’Toole, Geological Survey Ireland.
Saturday 12th: A ramble along the Tara Hill walking trails. Meet at 2pm in the car park opposite Kilcavan Graveyard (T205 633), Tara Hill, Gorey. Leaders: Mary Foley and Electra Kyriazis.
October
Thursday 1st: “The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS)” by Niamh Fitzgerald, BirdWatch Ireland.
Saturday 10th: Fungal foray to Camolin Park Woods to record mushrooms and other fungi with Maria Cullen and Howard Fox. Meet at 1.30pm in the car park in the wood (T059 550).
November
Date to be confirmed: “The Science of Weather” by Joanna Donnelly, Met Éireann. This lecture will take place at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Headquarters, Johnstown Castle Estate (T022 170).
Saturday 14th: Guided tour of Seal Rescue Ireland followed by walk in Courtown Woods. Meet at 2pm in the Leisure Centre car park in Courtown Harbour (T199 567)
December
Thursday 3rd: “A Garden for the Birds” by Simon Collins, Birdwatcher.
Saturday 12th: Field trip to identify woodland and shore birds at the Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig with Simon Collins. Meet at 10am in the car park (T010 228).