Dawn Chorus Day in Laois 2008
Two walks will be held in Laois this year as part of the Annual Dawn Chorus celebration - starting first at 4.30 am, the Clonalsee group will go through Brittas Woods near Clonaslee, at a walk organised by the Laois Heritage Office and Clonaslee Development Association. Half an hour later at 5am, the Durrow walk, organised by Durrow Development Forum, will set off from the car park of Dunmore Woods just outside Durrow. The early start will guarantee that the best part of this spectacular experience will be heard.
The Dawn Chorus Walk is a great opportunity to lay aside some of the worries of modern life for a while, and experience the wonders of nature on our doorstep. The Dawn Walk is a great opportunity for adults and children alike to enjoy the best of our native wildlife, and to meet others with similar interest, in a relaxed setting.
Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “People sometimes ask, why get up at 4.30am, when we can hear the birds singing all day long in the garden? Well, the unique and 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 witnessed a woodland at dawn are often astonished by how many birds seem to be involved.
“Starting early, we will most likely hear the early risers tuning up first – the robin, blackbird, song thrush and mistle thrush. They will then be joined by some of the smaller songbirds such as chaffinch, dunnock great tit, blue tit and wren. Some, like the chiff chaff and willow warbler, have recently returned to Ireland from their wintering grounds thousands of miles away in Africa”
“We are very lucky in Clonaslee to have Brittas Lake and Woods right on our doorstep” said Chris Horan of Clonaslee Development Association “Working with Coillte, LEADER and the Fisheries Boards, the local community has created an amenity that we can all be proud of, and which attracts many visitors to the area”.
The Dawn Chorus is one of nature’s greatest spectacles, and so easily missed, as it all takes place before most of us are out of bed. Why not make a date to bring the family to this free event, with experts on hand to tell you what you’re hearing?
Clonaslee Dawn Walk, Meet at the Green Clonaslee, 4.30am on Sunday 4th May. Breakfast available afterwards at Bloom's Restaurant, Clonaslee. For further information, contact Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer, phone 057-867 4346, e-mail ccasey@laoiscoco.ie.
Durrow Dawn Walk, Meet at the Car Park, Dunmore Woods, Durrow at 5am on Sunday 4th May. Picnic breakfast afterwards - bring your own picnic and a flask! For further information, contact Ann Lannigan, phone 057-873 6453.
