Birdwatch Ireland Meath

Taking a short break from work on a conservation project a few years ago, I sat with some of my co-workers to take in the sights and sounds of the unique environment we were in. That unique environment was a small Island on the Shannon Callows, just outside Banaghar, Co. Offaly. The Island is a wildlife refuge for the Callows resident and immigrant wetland birds every Spring. Some of Irelands most endangered wetland birds, Curlew, Lapwing and Red Shank nest here. These red-listed birds have been dramatically affected by Irelands changing climate, habitat loss and farming practices. With many of these birds in drastic decline Birdwatch Ireland took the decision to permanently ring fence the Island with a predator proof fence. The fence, it was hoped, would offer some protection to the many chicks, of these wetland birds, from their natural predators and in turn help stop their decreasing numbers. The fence is one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe and has