Bere Island will explore and celebrate its biodiversity this June with its first Bere Island Bioblitz and Wildlife Festival
The inaugural Bere Island Wildlife Festival will take place from Monday June 4th to Friday June 10th, culminating in the world’s first island BioBlitz on Saturday June 11th and Sunday June 12th.
Run in conjunction with Biodiversity Ireland, the BioBlitz will bring experts, islanders and visitors together to explore the rich variety of flora and fauna to be found on Bere Island.
The islands of Cape Clear, Inis Mór, Clare Island and Tory Island will also take part in what will be a race against time to see which island can record the most species of plant and wildlife over a 24-hour period.
All are encouraged to take part and help us record the variety of species to be found on Bere Island.
Bere Island Bioblitz Programme
(All events are free, places allocated on a 1st come-1st served basis!)
DAILY EVENTS
Whale & Dolphin watching trips with Sea Safari (Meet at West End pier)
TUESDAY 7TH JUNE
10:00 Talk on beekeeping – Barry Hanley (Bere Island Heritage Centre)
14:00 Walk to Cloughland Lake – Daniel Moriarty (Meeting Point TBC)
WEDNESDAY 8TH JUNE
10:00 Walk with Chris Sullivan Markie (Meet outside Murphy’s Shop & PO, Rerrin)
14:00 Nature walk to Cloughland Tower with Clare Heardman (Meet outside Murphy’s Shop & PO, Rerrin
THURSDAY 9TH JUNE
10:00 Talk on Bere Island Oyster & Seaweed Farm – David Andrews (Meet at Bere Island Community Centre)
14:00 Talk on medicinal herbs – Rosari Kingston (Bere Island Heritage Centre)
FRIDAY 10TH JUNE
10:00hrs Butterfly walk – Damaris Lysaght (Meet outside Murphy’s Shop & PO, Rerrin)
14:00hrs Introduction to Dexter Cattle – Steve Collins (Bere Island Heritage Centre)
Evening Music with Michael Harrington & Co. (Dessie’s Hotel)
SATURDAY 11TH JUNE
10:00 Nature walk & Pond Dipping – Geoff Hunt (Venue TBC)
12:00 Launch of Island BioBlitz 2016
Evening Music with Michael Harrington & Co. – (Bere Island Heritage Centre)
SUNDAY 12TH JUNE
09:00 Bere Island BioBlitz 2016 – surveying (Bere Island Heritage Centre)
12:00 Bere Island BioBlitz 2016 – finishes (Bere Island Heritage Centre)
12:30 Island BioBlitz 2016 – winners announced (Bere Island Heritage Centre)
Where to Stay
For a list of B&Bs on the island visit: http://www.bereisland.net/accomodation/bed-breakfast
For self-catering holiday homes visit: http://www.bereisland.net/accomodation/self-catering
For more information, contact Helen Riddell at bereconservation@gmail.com