Birds offer an ideal introduction to natural history. Although there are some 9,600 species worldwide, only about 450 have been recorded in Ireland. Of these, less than 200 are common here, a manageable number for beginners to come to grips with and learn to recognise.  

Dublin is particularly well endowed with avian habitats; this small county has more than its share of internationally important sites. During Sunday morning field trips, we visit some of the major haunts. The outings focus on finding, and learning to identify, the species present. The lifestyles of the birds we see, and those of some iconic foreign species, feature in our evening sessions.

The approach is holistic; birds depend on plants and animals for sustenance and are subject to predation themselves. Avian references abound in literature, folklore, art and music; there’s a cultural dimension to bird studies.

By the end of the course, participants should be able to recognise the common species they encounter, know something of how birds live and have an awareness of their role in our environment and culture. Eco-tourism is growing worldwide; having basic field-craft skills, and knowing the rudiments of ornithology, enhances travel experiences, both within and outside Ireland.

Our hunter-gatherer ancestors depended on their knowledge of wild plants and animals for survival. Bird-watching, a benign form of hunting which doesn’t harm its quarry, is ‘part of what we are’, an evolutionary heritage which resonates with us even in today’s huge urban conurbations.

The approach is holistic informal and relaxed. No previous knowledge of the subject is required.