Counting crows:Fieldwork on a new bird atlas for Ireland and Britain will begin next year. The ambitious project will span winter and summer distributions of birds and will provide valuable evidence of how birds are faring in their fast-changing urban and rural landscape.
Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland explains: "Bird atlases are usually done every 15 to 20 years and are the national benchmark for bird population." The project will be undertaken by Birdwatch Ireland, the British Trust for Ornithology and the Scottish Ornithologists Club with support from the Environment and Heritage Services in Northern Ireland and the Heritage Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in the Republic. Birdwatch Ireland will start training sessions in spring 2007 for people who wish to volunteer to help with field work. Tel: 01-2819878 or e-mail info@birdwatchireland.ie.
Books for eco-builders
Two interesting books arrived on the Horizons desk recently. The first, The Energy Efficient Home (Crowood Press, £16.99) by engineer and energy consultant Patrick Waterfield, gives an overview of all areas of the home in which you can become more energy efficient. Written in a chatty, non-technical style, Waterfield includes chapters on windows and doors, conservatories and attic conversions, heating, lighting, ventilation, renewable energy technologies and household appliances. Wider environmental issues such as water economy are also discussed. The second book, Natural Building: A Guide to Materials and Techniques (Crowood Press, £19.95) is written by Tom Woolley, professor of architecture at Queen's University, Belfast. The owner of a property restored using natural and local materials, Prof Woolley has also designed and consulted on many others. He explains, with excellent photographs, the techniques of cob (soil and straw) building, straw-bale building, the use of timber frames in commercial and domestic buildings, green and natural roofs and natural insulating materials. A must for anyone about to embark on a self-build project who has strong environmental principles.
North-west wildlife
Eco-tourism providers and operators in the north west should take note of a free seminar on wildlife tourism from 10am on Monday in the Greenbox, Manorhamilton Castle, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim. Speakers include Richard Fairbairns, chairman of Wild Scotland, who will explain how Scotland has become what many consider to be Europe's top wildlife-watching destination. Martin McGuigan, a mountaineer, will speak about how to run a walking and guiding company. Tel: 071-9856898 or e-mail info@greenbox.ie for more details.
Friends change venue
The non-governmental lobby group Friends of the Irish Environment has moved its annual winter weekend gathering from Allihies, Co Cork to Wicklow town. It will take place on February 17 and 18th, 2007 in An Tairseach, the Dominican Ecology Centre in Wicklow Town. Cost €50 per day. For more details, see www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net.
Ecoweb
[ www.ardnashee.comOpens in new window ]
The owners of this straw-bale house near Bantry, Co Cork, have installed solar water heaters and a wind turbine. Check out the site for open days (next one is December 17th) and courses on installing alternative energy systems.