Six geese a-laying… Winter geese, swans and waders at Dundrum Bay

Pale-bellied brent goose, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO
Level
Beginner/Improver
Presenter
Sorrel Lyall (BTO NI), Danielle Begley (NMDDC)
Date
Saturday, January 7, 2023 - 10:00 to 12:00
Places
Fully booked

We'll be meeting at the north end of Dundrum for a morning birdwatching session to enjoy and practise identification of the geese, swans and waders that overwinter in Dundrum Bay, County Down.

Pricing

Free!

Event Information

During the winter, Dundrum Bay is home to hundreds of geese, swans and waders, including some of the 30,000+ pale-bellied brent geese that migrate from the high Canadian Arctic to overwinter on our shores. Join us for a morning birdwatching session to practise identification and enjoy the spectacle that is winter birdwatching. This will be a fun, informal session suitable for both those new to birdwatching and those more experienced. Binoculars, telescopes, and bird guides will be provided to share across the group. Come along to enjoy, observe and learn about this winter wildlife wonder on our doorstep!

This event is hosted by BTO's Ripple NI project and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Travel: By car - free parking in the car park at the north end of Dundrum village here (the event meeting point), opposite the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. By bus - inbound: the service 520 leaves from Newcastle Bus Station at 09:55 am and arrives at Dundrum Spar Shop at 10:05 am, then walk north for 5 minutes along the Main Street to the car park meeting point. Outbound: the service 240 leaves from Dundrum Spar Shop at 12:35 pm and arrives in Newcastle at 12:45 pm. See the Translink website for more details. 

Accessibility: This event is accessible to disabled people - the bay and its birds are viewable from a flat, tarmac path next to the car park meeting point. BTO and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council value the inclusion of all communities and protected characteristics. If you have any questions about accessibility for this event, please contact northern.ireland [at] bto.org

Toilets: There are not any public toilets in Dundrum village itself, but there are public toilets, including an accessible toilet, a 5 minute drive south at Dundrum Inner Bay Car Park.

What to bring: Bring warm and waterproof clothes, we expect to be stood watching the birds for most of the event, with a short walk up the bay for those who wish to. Trainers or similar footwear will be suitable for the tarmac and short grass paths. Bring binoculars if you have them, and snacks and a hot drink if you wish!