St.Mary's goes WILD!

by Junior Reporters Abby Meenan, Amy Emmett and Aisling Davis

National Parks and Wildlife Service Conservation Ranger, Carl Byrne gave a very interactive and informative talk to the children in Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First and second classes. He showed them a range of our local wildlife. He informed them about the animals and where we are likely to see them. The children were also given the opportunity to examine the animals up close.

His display consisted of: Badger, Geese, Ducks, Puffin, Woodcock, Snipe, Seal, mink, Hare, red squirrel, buzzard, sparrow hawk, stoat, garden birds and a bat.

We are very grateful to Carl for spending so much time with the children and passing on his love for animals.

National Parks and Wildlife Services have many wonderful Nature Reserves locally which can be enjoyed all year round.

• Ardnamona Wood Nature Reserve, Lough Eske, Donegal Town,
• Ballyarr Wood Nature Reserve, Ballyarr, Ramelton
• Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell, Co.Sligo
• Duntally Wood National Nature Reserve, Creeslough, Co.Donegal
• Rathmullan Wood national Nature Reserve, Rathmullan, Co.Donegal
• Sheskinmore  Nature Reserve, Sheskinmore, Ardara, Co.Donegal
• Union Wood-Special Area of Conservation, Collooney, Co.Sligo

For more information on the nature reserves and special areas of Conservation click on the link https://www.npws.ie/