More than 100 enjoy sounds of Dawn Chorus at Belvedere

Birdwatch Ireland’s Westmeath Branch had their first Dawn Chorus event since 2019 in Belvedere House and Gardens at 5am on Sunday May 5, which was International Dawn Chorus day.

The weather conditions were perfect as it was a still, dry, mild, morning and around 100 people arrived for the event in the early hours.

People of all ages attended and the birds obliged with a fantastic early morning symphony, which is at its height in the month of May during the breeding season.

Gordon Wycherley, chairman of the Westmeath Branch of Birdwatch Ireland, led the walk through the grounds of Belvedere.

He said: "I couldn’t have been happier with the turnout and was extremely grateful to all who attended and made the event such a great success."

He also thanked the staff at Belvedere for rising so early and making it possible in such a wonderful venue.

Mary Bannon, manager of Belvedere House and Gardens, gave everyone a wonderful welcome and detailed the amount of wildlife that could be seen on a regular basis in the grounds; as well as informing them of the variety of initiatives in relation to biodiversity enhancement that are going on at Belvedere.

The walk through the grounds lasted around two hours including stops along the way to identify and listen to the various species of birds that could be heard singing and calling.

By 7am everyone had returned to the cafe in Belvedere for a well deserved coffee and refreshments.