Horizons

Join the dawn chorus: Birdwatch Ireland's National Dawn Chorus Day is attracting more and more birdwatchers - and bird listeners - every year.

Open to members and non-members alike, it offers people a very special opportunity to rise before dawn and experience the the early morning song of birds such as robins, thrushes, blackbirds, chaffinches, and wood pigeons as they join in a magical sequence of sound at daybreak.

This year, most outings will take place on Sunday, May 14th. Here is a sample of events and times of meetings. Join in if you can. In Co Dublin, at Ardgillan Demense, Balbriggan, meet in the main car park at 5.30am; in Newbridge House, Donabate, meet in the main car park at 5.30am; in Marlay Park, Rathfarnham (breakfast available), meet in car park on Grange Road (beside Marlay House) at 4am. In Co Galway, meet in the NUIG Dangan Sportsgrounds car park at 5am. In Co Kerry, meet in the grounds of Coláiste Íde near Dingle at 5.30am (walk led by wildlife artist Michael O'Cleary). In Co Mayo, meet in Brackloon Wood near Westport at 5am. In Co Offaly, meet at Birr Castle main gate at 4.15am. In Co Sligo, meet at Lissadell House (first entrance) at 6am. In Co Westmeath, meet at visitor centre, Belvedere House, Mullingar at 4am (breakfast available). In Co Wexford, meet at Raven Nature Reserve at 4.30am (walk led by wildlife artist Don Conroy). See www.birdwatchireland.ie.

Renewable youth: Congratulations to the winners of this year's Eco-Unesco Young Environmentalists Awards who were presented with their prizes in City Hall, Dublin, on Wednesday evening. The overall winners were Ballycastle High School, Ballycastle, Co Antrim for their project on water pollution from farms and Scoil Mhuire, Athy, Co Kildare for their project on peatland conservation and local wildlife. Mayfield Community School in Cork city won a special Race Against Waste award for their approach to litter, waste and recycling and Knockbeg College, Co Carlow won a Comhar prize for their sustainability/ renewable energy project on rapeseed oil production. The award-winning projects - which were chosen from more than 120 entries - will be displayed in Enfo, 17 St Andrew Street, Dublin from May 8th to 12th and then during Heritage Week. See www.ecounesco.ie or tel: 01-6625491 for details of next year's competition.

Plant trees, build walls: The Irish Seedsavers Association at Capparoe, Scariff, Co Clare will teach farmers and gardeners how to plant native apple trees in forthcoming workshops. The first, a one-day introduction for farmers on May 13th will cover planting, disease and pest prevention, orchard maintenance and pruning. A similar course for the public will be held on June 10th.

Gardeners can learn basic construction skills for traditional stone-wall building, terracing and raised beds at the Dry Stone and Lime-Mortar Walling course on May 20th and 21st. A practical course on gathering and identifying herbs and making remedies will be held on June 17th. Each course costs €60. To book, tel: 061-921866 or e-mail info@irishseedsavers.ie