Most members of the public who visit the Kilcoole Little Tern colony are very fond of the birds & are always keen to hear how they are getting on. It's great to get such positive feedback in relation to our efforts, as we rely heavily on public co-operation & support every year.
There are a couple of very simple ways in which you can help the Kilcoole Little Tern Conservation Project:
1. Keep to the path
Information signs & rope barriers are in place throughout the season & clearly mark out what sections of the path or beach are accessible to members of the public & which sections are restricted. They don't block off the coastal right of way in any manner but simply guide pedestrians around the colony in a manner which won't disturb the birds.
We therefore ask members of the public to stick to the designated route. It's much appreciated if you do so, and remember, if you see the wardens at the colony then why not stop for a chat & a look at the terns along the way!
2. Keep dogs under control
Again, signs & rope barriers are in place to identify what sections of the beach are most important for the terns. We would ask members of the public to keep their dogs on a leash or at least under control & at heel when passing the colony. If they stray from the public path & enter the restricted zone then they may find themselves getting a shock from the electric fence around the core part of the colony!
3. Volunteer
If you're really keen to help out then why not consider coming down and volunteering on the project? This could involve:
- Helping with the set up of fencing at the start of the season.
- Volunteer warden for a few hours (allowing the wardens to catch up on some much needed sleep!).
- Lending a hand with filling out nest record forms & data entry.
- Helping to take down the fencing at the end of the season.
If you'd like to volunteer in anyway then send Dr. Steve Newton (Project Manager) an e-mail snewton@birdwatchireland.ie
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| Volunteers making chick shelters © Niall Keogh |
4. Become a member of BirdWatch Ireland
As a voluntary organisation, the financial support we receive from our members is vital if we are to be able to continue our bird and habitat conservation work, keep working with schools and teachers and create and manage nature reserves. By becoming a member today, you can help us in our work and make a real difference to wildlife in Ireland.
Membership runs for one year from the date of enrolment, and all members receive:
- Wings, our full-colour quarterly magazine for members, packed with fascinating articles, photos, bird identification features, competitions and much more.
- A free Garden Bird pack, full of information on how to attract, feed and identify birds.
- Access to the hundreds of events held each year by our network of over 20 local Branches all over Ireland, including talks, slideshows and guided birdwatching outings, all with experts on hand to help members learn more about our feathered friends - all free of charge and suitable for all ages.
- A special free gift to help you get the most out of birdwatching.
Become a member here: http://bit.ly/9mpWyb
Sign up for our free monthly email update, e-Wings (packed full of information on news & events) here: http://bit.ly/b5GjTK
Or like our Facebook page which is always buzzing with pictures, birding tips & sightings: www.facebook.com/BirdWatchIreland
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Adult Little Tern in flight © Terry O'Rourke
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