Murmuration Update 24.1.17. Getting busy. 25 cars to park tonight and Interviews on Red FM and Ray Darcy Show on RTE. The Starlings were contrary tonight and preferred to whizz around in separate flocks mostly down in the western trees before they put on a show altogether. 17.00. -17.23 when the heavens opened.

Murmuration Update 23.1.17. You couldn’t park!! After the RTE News last night the place was stuffed. Laura from the house let people park there: Thankyou. A fast flying mind boggling display for 1/2hr ending at 17.29.

In case you missed it on the news tonight.

Murmuration Update 22.1.17. A good display tonight , obviously showing off after being on the Telly. 16.55-17.20.

Murmuration on RTE TV 601 news tonight.

Crowds gather to watch starlings’ acrobatic display in west Cork via The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/crowds-gather-to-watch-starlings-acrobatic-display-in-west-cork-1.3363832

Murmuration Update 21.1.17. A full Sunday crowd enjoyed a half hour spectacular finishing with a spontaneous round of applause. 16.52 - 17.24.

Murmuration Update 20.1.17. Biggest audience yet <50 enjoyed a 30 minute display of the large amorphous cloud drifting around. The video shows the end as the birds are sucked into the wood to roost. It must be a very big vacuum pump !!

Southern Star 20.1.17.

Murmuration Update 19.1.17. A big crowd enjoyed a short and sweet performance tonight ending at 17.04. If you have pics or videos please post them as comments to this post. Thanks.

Murmuration Update 18.1.17. With the bright evening Murmuration didn’t start over the field till 17.00. It lasted till 17.13. With no fireworks: wonderful nevertheless.

On Sunday 28th January, the West Cork Branch of Birdwatch Ireland will hold its annual dawn to dusk bird race. Teams of 4 people will spend the day racing around the defined race area trying to record as many species of birds as possible. This will be a very exciting day and the list of birds should be more than 100 species. Last year the total was 105 & the winners (see picture) nabbed 99. Do you think you can beat that? The race area will stretch from Ring Pier in the east to Rosscarbery Pier in the west and south of the R600 and the N71. The race is open to everyone, from the very experienced birder to the very inexperienced, and all in with an opportunity to win the coveted trophy! All-in-all this is a fun day out for any bird lover and a great opportunity to see lots of bird species and get familiar with one of the best birdwatching locations in the whole country. It is recommended that anyone interested in taking part in the Bird Race should register by email to the Secretary (details below) up until 6pm on 27th January, or alternatively on the morning of the race before 8:15am at the starting point. For those who do not have a team of 4, but want to take part, register your name and the Branch will try to put you with a team. Race entry is €5 per person and this will include finger food in O’Donovan’s after the Race. A checklist of birds with a list of the rules and a race area map will be provided on the day. Race start: 8:30am sharp at Scally's SuperValu car park, Clonakilty Race finish: 5:30pm sharp at O'Donovan’s Hotel, Clonakilty Contact details: General queries: Paul Connaughton Email: chairman@birdwatchirelandwestcork.ie Mobile: 086 199 3613 Registration: Nicholas Mitchell Email: secretary@birdwatchirelandwestcork.ie Mobile: 087 121 5256 #westcorkbirdrace