17th January 2011:  Recent news page updated. Two Green Sandpipers at Gleeson's Quarry, Tipperary Hills.

Tipperary Branch of BirdWatch Ireland

County Tipperary occupies a broad strip of inland Ireland between Lough Derg and the River Shannon to the west, the River Suir to the South and the Little Brosna River on the northeast.  The county is largely hilly with rich farmland in the valleys.  The Galtee and Knockmealdown Mountains lie in the south of the county with lower hills to the north.   Greatest elevation is Galtymore at 917 metres.  Although having no coastline the county hosts large flocks of waders, wildfowl and Greenland White-fronted Geese in winter and spring on its northern boundary at the Little Brosna Callows and Lough Derg.  Clonmel in the south and Navan in the NorthWest are the largest centres of population.   Whilst the main industries are associated with agriculture and horse breeding, others such as chemicals and medical appliances are important.

Established in 1968, BirdWatch Ireland is the largest and most active conservation organisation in Ireland. We have more than 14,000 members, including many families and children who are taking an active interest in the future of our natural environment. There are more than twenty local branches across the country. 

The Tipperary Branch of BirdWatch Ireland has always been a very active branch. We have conducted surveys of Yellowhammers, Nightjars and Grey Herons in Tipperary. We have carried out conservation work to help the Common Terns on Lough Derg, have erected nest-boxes for Barn Owls and we have built an excellent hide at the most important wetland in the county, the Little Brosna Callows, on the border with Co. Offaly.

Members of the branch take part in all national surveys such as the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (IWeBS) and the Countryside Bird Survey (CBS).

  Articles for publication are welcomed.

Web Site Contents