DESIGN AND PRINT: BROSNA PRESS
The Offaly Naturalists’
Field Club Programme
is an initiative of the
Offaly Heritage Forum.
www.offaly.ie/heritage
Offaly County CouncilComhairle Chontae Uíbh FhailíIndividuals and fam
ilies are welcom
e.
No experience required. Please dress
appropriately for outdoor activities
and bring your own refreshm
ents.
For further details contact the
Heritage O
ffice in Offaly County
Council on 057 9346839or em
ail
heritage@
offalycoco.ie
Please email heritage@
offalycoco.ie
if you would like rem
inders about
events or if you would like to be notified
about other Offaly heritage events.
ww
w.offaly.ie/heritage
FRIDAY 4 APRILTALK Bumble Bees & the Monitoring Scheme8pm: Clara Bog Visitor Centre Speaker: Dr Úna Fitzpatrick, an ecologist with the NationalBiodiversity Data Centre will outline the monthly monitoringscheme and all potential volunteers are welcome.
SATURDAY 5 APRILWALK Bumble Bees & the Monitoring Scheme Bumble Bee Identification Walk11am – 12 noon: Meeting at Clara Bog Board Walk –weather permitting. Leader: Dr Úna Fitzpatrick, National Biodiversity Data Centre
SATURDAY 12 APRIL A Wonderful Wildlife Wander on the CutawaysExploring opportunities for conservation, education andrecreation on the cutaways.(In conjunction with the Offaly Local Development Company and Bord na Móna). 11am – 3pm: Meet at Turraun car park. Bring lunch & binoculars.Leader: Alex Copland, BirdWatch Ireland
WEDNESDAY 16 APRILBryophyte Identification Evening All attendees to have Mosses and Liverworts of Britain andIreland, a field guide by the British Bryological Society. Specieswill be identified through the field guide step by stepprocess. Prebooking for your microscope is essential [email protected]: Offaly Historical and Historical Society, Bury Quay.Leader: John Feehan
2nd HALF OF APRILTrip out to Inishee Island to see the breedingwaders and the summer snowflake Limited to 10 places. Email [email protected] to book & get details.Leader: Stephen Heery & BirdWatch Ireland
SATURDAY 10 MAY Walking the Landscape of North West Offaly11am – 6pm: Meet at Luker’s Pub, Shannonbridge.All day joint event with Slieve Bloom Walking Club.Full walking clothing needed plus lunch/refreshments.Leader: John Feehan
FRIDAY 16 MAYDusk Chorus Walk8.30pm – 9.30pm: Meet at Red (Town) gates of Charleville Estate. Leader: Alex Copland, BirdWatch Ireland
SATURDAY 24 MAYSpring Flowers and Early Ferns 11am – 2/4pm: Meet at Cadamstown car park. Bring lunch.Option to end after lunch or to continue.Leader: Fiona Devery
SATURDAY 7 JUNEWalking the Pilgrims’ Road The Natural Heritage, Geology to Botany11am: Meet at Ballinahown car park. Bring lunch. Bus returnfrom ClonmacnoiseLeader: John Feehan
SATURDAY 28 JUNE Guided Eco Cycle Boora A joint event with Lough Boora Parklands – The route will follow thecycle track to Mesolithic site and take in the new cycle track to westBoora (5.4 km or 10.8 km return trip). There will be plenty of stopsalong the way to look at features of the cutaway including wildflowers and orchids. The Marsh Helleborine and Bee Orchids at theMesolithic Site should be in bloom. After lunch, cyclists can have theoption of continuing on the new cycle track to the Derries and back toBoora via Turraun (21km or 3 – 4 hours including breaks) or returningback to Boora Lake via the same path. The cycle will be suitable forfamilies. Please arrange your own bikes or pre-book bike hire at Boora.11am: Meet at cycle hire, Boora Lake Lough Boora Parklands.Bring plenty of refreshments.Leader: Mark McCorry, Bord na Móna ecologist
MONDAY 30 JUNE – FRIDAY 4 JULYOffaly Biodiversity Summer SchoolHabitats in the Making The habitat mosaic of Offaly is constantly evolving in response tochanging climate and human interaction. In this year’s SummerSchool we will look at what the future may hold (special gueststhis year: grasses and moths).9.30am – 3.30pm daily: Based in Teach Lea Community Centre. Leader: John Feehan. €100 for 5 days. Places limited.Booking essential with [email protected].
WEDNESDAY 2 JULYFamily Friendly Bat Walks in Clara 9:45pm: Meet at Clara Bog Visitor Centre. Bring a hat and torch.Leader: NPWS Education Guides
SATURDAY 5 JULYMoth Night, Evening Bird Chorus & Star Gazing9.30pm till very late: Meet at Visitor Centre, Birr Castle Demesne.Leader: Alex Copland, BirdWatch Ireland and MidlandsAstronomy members! (no late entry)
SATURDAY 12 JULYOrchids of Clara Bog and Eskers11am: Meet at Clara Bog Visitor Centre.Leader: NPWS Education Guides
SATURDAY 19 JULYOrchids and Sedges of Derryadd11am – 3pm: Meet at Lidl, Birr. Bring lunch.Leader: Fiona Devery
WEDNESDAY 23 JULYFamily Friendly Bat Walks in Clara 9:45pm: Meet at Clara Bog Visitor Centre. Bring a hat and torch.Leader: NPWS Education Guides
WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUSTFamily Friendly Bat Walks in Clara 9pm: Meet at Clara Bog Visitor Centre. Bring a hat and torch.Leader: NPWS Education Guides
SATURDAY 30 AUGUSTDragonfly Walk around Shannon Harbour 12 noon: Meet at canal carpark at Shannon HarbourLeader: Alex Copland, BirdWatch Ireland
SATURDAY 11 OCTOBERMosses & Liverworts of the Slieve Blooms11am – 4pm: Meet at Letter Cross Roads (Grid Ref N253045). Bring lunch, suitable footwear and weatherproof clothes.Microscope session afterwards in Kinnitty Community Centre.Leader: George Smith, County Bryophyte Recorder
SATURDAY 29 NOVEMBERWintering Birds Walk at Boora11am: Meet at the car park adjacent to the bird hide.Leader: Alex Copland, BirdWatch Ireland