It's Earth Day tomorrow! Here's what's on, plus a wildlife warning to keep your distance

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

In Mullingar, trees will be planted by the Green party's Cllr Hazel Smyth, Mayor of Mullingar, at 2pm in Mullingar Town Park, in conjunction with Mullingar Tidy Towns.

Meanwhile, the above photo shows a Mute Swan incubating eggs at the pond in Mullingar Park.

According to Westmeath Heritage, Mute Swans are currently incubating eggs on nest sites across lakes, canals and rivers all around the county.

The impressive nest-structures will have been constructed by the female (the ‘pen’) over the last few weeks, using materials brought to her by her partner (the ‘cob’).

During the incubation period, both parent birds will take turns keeping the eggs warm – it will take about 40 days for the chicks to develop and be ready to hatch from the eggs.

Normally the pen lays between four and seven eggs per breeding attempt. If nest disturbance is kept to a minimum, and incubation is successfully carried out, cygnets can be expected to arrive around the first week of June.

To support these hard-working parents, please ensure disturbance at nest-sites is minimised: if you happen to see a nest on your travels, please keep your distance, and keep children and dogs by your side at all times.

First held on April 22, 1970, Earth Day now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.

The official theme for 2023 is Invest In Our Planet.