Birdwatch Ireland branch host talk on corncrake conservation project

The Birdwatch Ireland Westmeath branch resumes its indoor meeting this September with a fascinating talk, ‘Grasping the Nettle, Corncrakes and their conservation in Ireland’, by Dr John Carey, National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Dr Carey will take attendees through the five-year Traonach / Corncrake Life project, which he managed from 2021 to 2026.

It is the story of how Ireland almost lost one of its most iconic bird species and the innovative and hugely successful conservation work that enabled the survival of the corncrake, whose distinctive call was once such a familiar sound of summer nights in our countryside.

For generations the corncrake has held deep meaning in both the culture and folklore of Ireland, and to lose it would be a great tragedy.

This meeting is on Tuesday September 8 at 8pm in Áras an Mhuilinn, and all are welcome.