Whale watching off Mullaghmore a highlight of Biodiversity week in Sligo

Irish Independent

13-05-2025

On foot of the great spell of weather we're enjoying, lots of us have been out and about enjoying the countryside, which has burst forth with bloom and colour. A happy coincidence then that Biodiversity Week starts later this week and runs until almost the end of May, helping us understand the fundamentals of our trails environment and a greater appreciation for the delicate balance we need to strike to live in harmony with nature. The good weather has led amazing growth, and this should lead to bumper sightings during the Biodiversity Week walks. 'It's the ideal time of year for this, because as we've seen the hawthorn has burst into life, the swallows are back, and it's really when the beautiful countryside is coming to life,' says Ruth Hanniffy, Biodiversity Officer with Sligo County Council. Beginning on Saturday 17th May and ending on Sunday 25th May, Biodiversity Week will provide a range of events, both indoor and outdoor, including walks and talks that will help lift the veil on the amazing plant and animal life that surround us. Starting on Saturday next (10am), we head to Sruth in Aghaidh an Aird - The Devil's Chimney - a very popular local walk overlooking Glencar Lake, where Fiona Magennis will talk to us about how over the past 20 years she redeveloped the broadleaf forest from being overgrown into becoming a haven for wildlife. After that, at 5pm, we head to Mullaghmore for a whale watching event that will hopefully lead to some sightings. Make your way around the head to the Wild Atlantic Way roadside car park where you'll be directed onto a nearby hillside for the best view. Allow a bit of time to get there and we suggest you park in the village and walk out to the car park - this will take no more than 20 minutes and as we know, there's nowhere more spectacular than the Mullaghmore Coastal Walk at any time of year, particularly during warm Summer evenings. Other highlights include a walk at Ballygawley Lough and Union Wood with ecologist Michael Bell (Wednesday 21st 2pm) to learn about the important ecology of this site. Union Wood is a nature reserve and contains one of the largest remaining native oak woodlands in the area and provides important habitats for birds and mammals like red squirrels and pine martens. There's a biodiversity walk at the Tatty Hoaker farm in north Sligo (May 18th 2pm) and at Longford Demesne in Beltra (May 19th 2pm) where Diarmuid McAree, a Director of Crann - Trees for Ireland, will lead a walk. Bat Conservation Ireland are in year two of a project surveying two Sligo woodlands and this walk will take place along the woodlands at Doorly Park at sunset (Wednesday 21st 9:30pm) where we will expect to see species of bat like Pipistrelle, Daubenton and Leisler in the company of bat expert David Clarke. If you really want to discover nature with your kids, bring them along to Michael Bell's beachcombing walk at Dunmoran Strand (Friday 23rd 11am). Gathering at Dunmoran Strand car park, Michael will lead a leisurely walk of the beach, helping to identify the natural treasures we can see on our local beaches. A number of indoor talks will also take place. On that topic, where better to begin than on Thursday next (May 22nd 7-10pm Radisson Hotel) where a talk will be given titled Wolves in Ireland. A fascinating insight on an often misunderstood species that freely roamed the woods and countryside in times past. There have been discussions about the possible repercussions of reintroducing wolves to Ireland, a topic which, no doubt, is likely to be discussed at this event. Elsewhere, (Saturday 25th 9:30am) the Sligo Bioblitz will take place at Mullaghmore. This family-friendly initiative invites anyone and everyone to help discover and record as many local wildlife species as possible, contributing to national citizen science and local environmental awareness. The event is supported by Sligo County Council, Breeding Waders EIP, Field Studies Ireland, Woodrow APEM Group, and Nature Learn. It will be a fantastic and inclusive opportunity to connect with nature, learn from local experts, and celebrate the rich biodiversity of the Mullaghmore area. So there you have a taste of the week ahead, there is plenty to interest us all, so do try to get along and attend some of the walks, lectures and other educational events, no doubt we'll all pick up lots of information and knowledge along the way. 'Every event is free and the purpose is to connect people with nature to inspire people so that they can take action and restore it. So we're getting people out and about all over the county, from dawn to dusk, all different kinds of habitats to celebrate nature and to get up close and personal with how they can experience and protect it,' says Ruth. The events are open to all - though note that children need to be accompanied by an adult and some events are unsuitable for younger children. For most events, it's a matter of just turning up at the appointed place on time and to wear footwear and clothing that are suitable. If attending the whale watching event, bring a pair of binoculars with you - although there may be a few to spare - and bring the sun tan lotion if the good weather continues into next week. One or two events - the Beach Yoga event with Bláithín Sweeney at Mullaghmore following the BioBlitz (Sunday 25th) for example have a limit on numbers. So to find out the latest details on all Biodiversity Week events, (and there are others besides the ones we mention) follow the Sligo Heritage Facebook page or email [e-mail].