World Wetlands Day is being marked in Ireland with a number of events on coastlines and inland lakes from February 1st to 3rd.
Birdwatch Ireland says that Ireland has an “incredible array” of wetlands, from coastal and inland areas to turloughs and peatlands, supporting an “abundance of life”.
“A diverse web of plants, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds and mammals rely on these habitats for their survival and, as wetlands provide water and food, store floodwater, protect against extreme weather events, and capture carbon, there’s no doubt that we humans are dependent on them, too,” it says.
While wetlands are “birding hotspots year-round”, Birdwatch Ireland says, the numbers of birds surge at these wetlands each autumn with the arrival of migratory waterbirds.
These include many species of waders, ducks, geese and swans which breed in northern latitudes and migrate southwards to spend the winter. Wexford Harbour and Slobs welcome Greenland white-fronted geese in their thousands each October.
Galway Bay, Donegal Bay, Blacksod, and Tullaghan Bays are also internationally important sites for Great northern divers who migrate from North America, Greenland and Iceland to winter in Ireland.
Several events taking place from February 1st to 3rd are listed below:
World Wetlands Day event at Bull Island, February 3rd- free talk in Bull Island’s Interpretive Centre at 11am, followed by birdwatching on the island afterwards. All are welcome! This event is hosted by BirdWatch Ireland and Dublin City Council.
Birdwatching at the Boyne Estuary - The BirdWatch Ireland Meath Branch will hold an event on Saturday, February 3rd from 2pm until 4pm, when participants can enjoy a guided walk with Birdwatch Ireland Meath’s Franck Le Moenner around the Boyne estuary in Mornington. This event is held in association with Meath County Council. Find out more and RSVP here.
World Wetlands Day Workshop in Limerick - A World Wetlands Day Workshop organised by Limerick City and County Council will be held on Thursday, February 1st, with Tom Tarpey from the BirdWatch Ireland Limerick Branch as one of the three main speakers. The event will run from 7 p.m. until 9.30 p.m., with Tom giving a talk on wetland birds and wintering wildfowl at 7.30 p.m. Find out more and RSVP here.
