Sharing the love
Discover an internationally significant bird migration flyway between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea. Go back in time to reveal the value of wild primeval Irish forests. And encounter the life existing high up in the tree canopy of a temperate Atlantic rainforest. This page explores many of my ecological adventures and provides educational content designed to reach all audiences.
Birdwatching is fun!
Bird life is a flamboyant noisy and colourful indicator of the health of our environment. Healthy bird populations signal well-functioning ecosystems but they also act as a sentinel when things are going wrong. The good news is that monitoring bird communities is a fun and healthy pursuit. Whilst working for BirdWatch Ireland I embarked upon an adventure to explore the rich diversity of bird life in Georgia, Eastern Europe. Read the article below. (4-pages)
Where we come from..
Shifting baseline syndrome is a generational phenomenon whereby our current generation accepts everything we see in nature to be as nature intended. Research has shown that this is not the case and each new generation of people experiences an increasingly altered environment subject to our activities and the activities of our ancestors. Over thousands of years the wild has been significantly tamed. Read my article below to learn how laws protecting forests in Ireland have changed throughout history. (4-pages)
Abounding with life
Sometimes the most fascinating things are the ones that are the hardest to find. Beauty is often in the detail and that's why it's so important to take time and look more closely at nature and discover all the wonderous elements that bring it to life. Explore the multiple layers of life that make up an Atlantic temperate rainforest in the west of Ireland. Read my full article below. (3-pages)
Nature for everyone
Nature is important for everyone and how we interact with it depends on the opportunities and information available to satisfy our curiosity and support our exploration. Visiting nature reserves and taking part in citizen science projects are amongst the best ways to interact with nature, learn of its value and enjoy unique experiences every time we do!
In the community
Engaging with local communities on the importance of local wildlife has always been at the heart of what I do. Whilst working for BirdWatch Ireland I took the initiative and set up a visitor centre at the local nature reserve with the support of colleagues and volunteers. A news article explaining the project is outlined below.
For the kids
Providing fun and accessible information for junior nature enthusiasts promotes involvement in wildlife appreciation and ensures it's protection throughout future generations. BirdWatch Ireland publishes a regular junior magazine: Bird Detectives. Read my article for juniors promoting involvement in the Garden Bird Survey below. (4-pages)