Inaugural Cork Birdathon set to reinvigorate a unique pastime
The inaugural Cork Birdathon is set to take place on 19th November throughout South and East Cork. The aim of the Cork Birdathon is to raise awareness of the incredible bird life that exists in the county of Cork, particularly in the harbour area, and to encourage people to interact with the newly updated and expanded South and East Cork Bird Trail.
SECAD has invested in an extensive bird trail, which extends from Rocky Bay, near Crosshaven to Foxhole, on the outskirts of Youghal. The Bird Trail, which is free to use, can be enjoyed by young and old, from complete beginners to bird watching enthusiasts. Within a matter of miles, bird species can vary, providing bird trail users with a wonderful showcase of bird species.
“Participants in the Cork Birdathon could see up to 80 different types of birds on the day. From the stunning Kingfisher to a Red Throated Diver – the colour and beauty of birds in Cork is incredible. We want people to join us on 19th November and experience the region’s natural splendour and the habitat of thousands of birds,” said Paul Moore, BirdWatch Ireland- Cork Branch.
‘The bird-trail is a key element of our overall biodiversity plan in SECAD. It provides a real opportunity for communities and small businesses to make use of this infrastructure to deliver eco-education and eco-tourism services that can create jobs in rural areas. It’s also about getting more of us to realise just how important it is to protect, preserve and consider our natural environment as part of everything we do on a day to day basis. These are global issues and it often feels like we can do little to change these; but if look at it locally, appreciate and utilise sustainably, what we have in our own garden, community, our land and beaches, then we must believe that we can make a ripple of change today that will continue into something bigger, a more balanced future, socially – environmentally-economically’. Ryan Howard, SECAD CEO
Teams are invited to join the Cork Birdathon, which takes place from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, 19 November. There will be “meet the experts” events at Harpers Island from 9am to 11am, at Harty’s Quay from 10am to 1pm and at Ballyvergan Bird Hide from 2pm to 4pm.
For more information, please see www.corkbirdathon.ie