Sat. 19th. Jan. 08. Our contribution to the I-WeBS National winter count for January, was carried out today at the Inch Lake Nature Reserve, which was our designated area for the exercise. In excellent conditions, considering the weather of the past few days and the forecast for the oncoming week, Mary Mc Laughlin, Dermot Mc Laughlin, Martin Moloney, Terry Tedford, and Paddy Mc Crossan, after a brief meeting at Burnfoot with Andrew Speer of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, began the detailed recording of the species that were visible on the Lake and shore line. The only detracting factor was the exceptional high water level that left the number of Waders almost non existent, but on the plus side, we were treated to very large flocks of Lapwing flying in amazingly complex formations. also on view were Scaup, and Shoveler Duck, winter visitors from Iceland and Scandinavia. In Close proximity to the Lake six Buzzards and a Merlin were observed, as was Hedge Sparrow, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Linnet, Blue Tit, Great Tit, and Long-tailed Tit. We concluded our day with the satisfaction of a job well done.

Sat. 26th Jan. 08. The morning started with what looked like being a bright, dry, mild day, but that was soon dispelled, when near Malin Town, after recording a sizeable flock of Greylag Geese, and a female Peregrine Falcon, the rain and accompanying mist arrived and intensified as we journeyed to the Culdaff River Estuary, where despite the conditions we added large flocks of Curlew, Duck, Gull, and a small number of Little Grebe to our list. The visibility decreased to the point where no wildlife, and little of the countryside could be seen until we stopped for our tea break at Glennagivney Beach, where a few Shag, and Great Northern Divers were about discernable on the murky surface of the Bay. Proceeding to Greencastle and Moville, substantial numbers of Red-brested Merganser, and again Great Northern Diver were noted. At this point it was decided that there was little to be gained from proceeding any further, so we headed home, and concluded what was a rather disappointing day's birding.

Thursday 21st. Feb. 08. A well attended A. G. M. was held last night, the 20th. in the Lake of Shadows Hotel Buncrana. Re-elected Chairman Dermot Mc Laughlin read a report on the clubs many activities over the past twelve months, and discussed what we hoped to achieve in the year ahead. An informative insight on the work carried out by our friends from the Inishowen Moth Group, George Mc Dermot , and Karl King, was much appreciated. Our report submitted to the Irish Raptor Study Group for the annual general meeting held last weekend in Dublin, was discussed by our dedicated rehabiliator Martin Moloney, who also compiled this detailed Document. The only change in the elected personnel was the unanimous selection of Mary Mc Laughlin, as secretary. A warm welcome was extended to our new member Molly Walsh from Gleneely. The proceedings ended with a slide show, and talk on the wildlife of Inishowen by chairman Dermot Mc Laughlin.

Sat. 19th. April 08. Good fortune smiled on us again today, with bright sunlight and a complete absence of rain, but a little on the cool side. At Culdaff, a fleeting glance at the estuary revealed only Great Black back, Lesser Black back, Black Headed, and Herring Gull present. The next stop was at Redford, where the woodland floor that drops to the bottom of the steep ravine was carpeted with a myriad of Wood Anemone flowers, and the occasional early Bluebell, that contrasted perfectly with the strong golden yellow of the Dandelion, that was the main attraction for a number of Tortoiseshell Butterflies. Further down this country idyll, a Sparrowhawk was observed carrying its kill to a secluded plucking post, and at the bottom of the lane a Buzzard, after a bit of a confrontation with a couple of Rooks, was seen soaring kite-like high above, on the cold stiff easterly breeze. Near Falmore, another Buzzard was recorded, as was the rather tatty Peacock Butterflies, that were enjoying the sunshine in a well sheltered corner, and they may even have over wintered here. The great influx from Africa of Willow Warblers, is always a source of wonder, with nearly every tree and bush accommodating these little songsters. Also in the general area, Redpoll were seen and heard, as was Swallow, House Martin, and earlier in the morning a Tree Creeper was noted.

Sat. 26th. April 08. With the exception of one Buzzard no other birds of prey were to be seen. This was at Blanket Nook, which was not our intended destination, that being Binnion, Rockstown Harbor, and Leenan areas of Clonmany, but again the weather prediction was not favorable, and this view was reinforced by very heavy rain before departure this morning, so instead we opted for the comfort zone that is the Inch Lake / Blanket Nook Areas, but as it transpired, we had a continuous display of rain- free sunshine, and were not disappointed in what was to be seen in these places . On the path, north of the pump house, a Stoat was observed scurrying speedily to the stone wall on the Lake side of the walkway, and shortly after, an Otter was watched bulldozing it way through the thick vegetation in one of the drainage channels. At the Woodland and picnic area, a Treecreeper was recorded in the same area as on our last visit, while in the dappled shade clumps of Sweet Violets, superimposed on a background of Golden Saxifrage, were gleaming like pieces of lapis lazuli, that attracted increasing species of Butterflies, including, Spotted Wood, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, (male and female) Tortoiseshell, and Peacock. The little Island in the Lake was hosting very large numbers of Black- headed Gulls, almost to the exclusion of the Arctic, and Sandwich Terns, with a flock of Godwit banished to a tiny strip of territory on the Easter flank. Further out many pairs of Great Crested Grebes, performed their beautiful ballet dances on what is a Swan Lake.

Sat. 17th. May 08. With the gloriously sunny weather of the past few weeks, it was decided to pursue our interest in the Butterfly species that have been the focus of our attention since early Spring. So today we visited the Eastern side of the peninsula, but with the absence of the essential Sunshine and the temperature struggling to reach double figures, the results to say the least were disappointing. We paid visits to old and new sites, to check for the Green Hairstreak, but none were recorded. We had to wait until 1.pm.before we could see our first Butterfly of the day and that was a Green-veined White, usually very common. At Moville, in a location where the Holly Blue had been reported a few years past, a few Orange Tip, and Speckled wood were recorded, but no Holly Blue. It was here that one of our group stumbled across a sleeping Fox, to disrupt it's afternoon siesta. At Greencastle pier we were treated to an unusually close-up view of a pair of Black Guillemots sitting on the wall behind the ice house, but they eventually flew out on on to the fast flowing tide. The Club was asked to participate in the Biodiversity Week events being held in St Eugene's Hall, Moville, so our rehabilator, Martin Moloney gave a talk on Raptors, and with the participation of many members of the audience, handling the Birds, and having photographs taken it was deemed very popular with the young and not so young. Then to round off our days activities, Dermot Mc Laughlin gave a very comprehensive and entertaining illustrated talk on the many diverse interest's in both Flora and Fauna, enjoyed by our club.

Sat.24th. May 08. Last nights talk and slide show, presented by Sandy Alcorn, on the Corncrake, was much appreciated by the large turn out in Dunree. Her relaxed style, coupled with her obvious knowledge of the subject, had the sizable audience listening to her every word, and after she had finished, there was a question and answer session which then left everyone in a mood to enjoy the light refreshments, provided as is usually the case, with great friendliness and generosity by Bernie Long, with assistance from manager David Mc Gee. for which we are most grateful. Having now being suitably fortified, we stepped into the glooming of a beautiful night and set off to beyond the Fort's perimeter, where, as we had hoped was a most cooperative Corncrake calling from a field across the valley. I don't think we could arrange another occasion to match this magical evening.........After this we decided to visit the Eastern side of the Peninsula today. With the disappointment of last week in mind, and Butterflies again our focus, we soon discovered that the only change from last Saturday was the addition of Sunshine, that was accompanied by a biting East Wind, which left butterflies a rather scarce item, with the exception of a very sheltered habitat where large numbers of Green-veined White, were floating in cloud like drifts, with an occasional Orange Tip and Speckled Wood intermingled. To compensate for this, large numbers of small birds, ie, Redpoll, Siskin, Chaffinch, Willow Warbler, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, and a pair of Crosbill, were recorded. Not to be out done a couple of Buzzard made an apperance............ I suppose there is never a bad day to get in a bit of bird watching. We had a report from Moville man, Mark Daly, of five Buzzards soaring high above the town last week.

Sat. 31st. May 08. No Club outing today.

Sat. 21st June 08. Disappointing might be a suitable description for this Summer solstice day club outing, with only a small number of members able to participate, due to unavoidable commitments of other members elsewhere. Our first stop was at Lissnagrath Wood, where through the dense foliage of the treetops a lone Buzzard was briefly observed, with a few wing feathers missing, which would be due to the molting season that has now started. Lower in the wood, and the adjoining hedgerows, many smaller birds were seen and heard, mostly in family groups, with the young birds making demands on parents for sustenance. The time spent here was curtailed due to the clouds of Piranha like midges, that had us glad to escape to the less infested Birdstown area, where again the little birds were most evident, they included small families of Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tits, Wrens, Chaffinch, Sparrow, Greenfinch,House Martin, Sand Martin, and Swallow. Later at the area north of Inch Lake, a few Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, and Large White Butterflies were Recorded, as was a Sparrow Hawk, and as has happened in the last number of weeks a Fox made a brief appearance. Now with the predicted rain and wind threatening, it was decided to call a halt to the days proceedings.

Sat. 12th. July 08. Our weekend activities commenced last night when we went to the farm of Dennis and Cathy O' Donnell's farm at Craighnahorna, near Carndonagh, where we met George Mc Dermott, and Karl King, of the Inishowen Moth Survey Group, assisted by Susan Shiels,as they set up their traps. Conditions were far from perfect, with a cold North wind blowing, that was more reminiscent of March than July. The expectations of a great collection of our quarry was not high, but on our return this morning, we were somewhat surprised by the number and diversity of species collected. To Dennis, Cathy, and Children, a special thank you for the friendly and hospitable welcome extended to us at your wonderful wildlife habitat .......Later in the morning some of our members made their way to the Dune System at Craighawinnia, on the Isle of Doagh, where the absence of Butterflies experienced over the past few months was abruptly brought to an end, with the greatest display of these wonderful works of creation, fluttering with gay abandon over the long Marrm Grass. The species included Dark Green Fritillary, in their hundreds, as were Common Blue, Meadow Brown, and lesser numbers of Ringlet, and Greyling, one Red Admiral, and one Green-veined White were also recorded. With the pleasant warm sunshine, a complete change from last night, an enjoyable, and rewarding day was had.

Sat. 26th. July 08. A very pleasant day was enjoyed on the high central Moorlands of the Inishowen Peninsula, in the company of member George Mc Dermott, but who today was wearing his Inishowen Moth Survey hat. After accompanying george last night to set up his traps, we returned this morning to a glorious landscape coloured with a myriad of carefully chosen tints from Natures paleete, highlighted by the rays of the warm sunlight, to find what surprises that might be in store for us as we emptied the traps, and with a count of twenty-seven species, and contained therein was something rather special with the capture of a Bordered Grey, only the second recording of this species in Inishowen, and a third for the Scarce Silver Y. (as showen below) and on the previous ocassion both were recorded by George. Among the many other species captured was the Ruby Tiger, a common but nontheless beautiful Moth. After releasing all the insects, we partook of our mandatory cup of tea and sandwich at the placid shore of Lough Fad, where Meadow brown, Ringlet, Large White, and Green-veined White Butterflies fluttered on the warm air that reverberated with the song of the many Grasshoppers, from somewhere in the lush vegetation. Our next and final stop of the outing was at Sea level, where in the Sand Dune System at Lagg it was noticed that there was a lesser number of Dark Green Fritillary present,than had been over the past few weeks, but that was compensated for with good numbers of Meadow Browns, Green-veined White, Ringlet, Greyling , and small numbers of Small Tortoiseshell, and Small Copper Butterflies.