As part of Inis’ continuing commitment to the training, upskilling and support for our Ecology Team, we were delighted to welcome Dick Coombes to the Ennis offices last month to give his wonderful presentation on bird identification and bird survey techniques.
Dick would be considered as one of Ireland’s foremost bird surveyors, equally as happy finding rarities on Cape Clear Island, Surveying Meadow Pipits on top of a bog in Co. Mayo or watching woodpeckers in his back yard in Co. Wicklow.
As the co-ordinator for BirdWatch, Ireland’s Countryside Bird Survey (CBS) since it started over 25 years ago, Dick has not only got huge experience in surveying birds across Ireland, but also has an amazing ability to help and guide those interested in bird survey techniques and identification.
In particular, his ability to advise on bird song identification (the squeaky-wheeled supermarket trolley song of the Dunnock for example) are wonderfully clear, descriptive and, above all, accurate and memorable.
With universal appreciation of his presentation from the INIS Ecology Team, we hope to invite Dick back very soon for another of his wonderful presentations.