Omagh Local Biodiversity Action Plan

Get involved in the Garden Birdfest at Gortin Glen

Discover more about the birds you see in your garden, have fun with a range of wild activities, and learn how to take part in the world’s biggest ever garden bird survey this Sunday 25 January at Gortin Glen Forest Park.

Taking place between 2pm and 4pm, this event is being jointly organised by Omagh District Council, the Ulster Wildlife Trust and Forest Service NI to complement the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch 2009. This nationwide initiative aims to get people into their gardens, parks or open spaces for one hour on the 24 or 25 January to record the birds they see, with the information gathered helping scientists to record and monitor bird numbers across the UK, right down to postcode level.

Get simple tips on how to identify the birds in your garden and have a go at making your very own bird feeder to attract an ever-changing cast of characters to watch and admire throughout the year. Staff will be on hand to demonstrate how to make your own bird nest box and to show you how to take part in this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch. You can also enjoy the fun bird trail around the park to uncover fascinating facts about our garden birds. If you are lucky, you could win a prize!

Julie Corry, Ulster Wildlife Trust Biodiversity Officer working in partnership with Omagh District is encouraging everyone to come along: “We need as many people as possible in the Omagh area to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch this year, so we can help build up a picture of how garden birds are doing in the locality.

You don't have to be an expert to get involved; all the family can join in this fun event. Whether you’re young or old, this is an excellent opportunity to get outdoors and learn more about the birds that visit your garden and local parks, as well collecting important information about the birds you see."

Julie added: “If you can’t make it along on Sunday, then please do take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch at home - there will be Big Garden Birdwatch survey forms available in Omagh Library, Omagh Leisure Complex, the Public Services Centre and at Omagh District Council or alternatively you can find out more online at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch”

This event is free of charge, but a car parking fee applies. Please note, for those with nut allergies, we will be using bird seed and nuts to make the bird feeders.

For further information about this event or how you can get involved in the Big Garden Birdwatch in Omagh please contact Julie Corry, Omagh Biodiversity Officer on tel: 028 8225 6202 or email julie.corry@omagh.gov.uk.

Omagh residents learn how to grow their trees of the future!

Over 30 people turned out to celebrate Seed Gathering Season on Saturday 25th October at the Ulster American Folk Park, organised by Omagh District Council in partnership with the Ulster Wildlife Trust.

Omagh Biodiversity Officer, Julie Corry led participants on a guided walk around the woodlands of the Folk Park to forage for native tree seeds such as ash keys and Scot’s pine cones, whilst learning about tree identification and woodlands along the way.

Indoors, participants learnt about different seed preparation techniques, how to store seeds and how treat them in the spring before sowing them out. They had great fun checking acorns for viability by using the sink/float technique and got their hands sticky mulching hawthorn berries. Fun paper potters helped the younger tree growers to pot-up acorns and beech nuts to transport home for planting.

Seed Gathering Season aims to encourage everyone to get out for long walks in their favourite places, make the most of autumn’s riches and pick up seeds from their favourite native plants. The seeds gathered can then be used in your garden at home, at your school, or to replace old hedgerows or trees that have blown down in the countryside, ensuring trees for the future

Omagh wildlife gardeners reap their rewards

Green fingered residents, schools and businesses were honoured at an awards ceremony at Omagh Hostel on Friday, 3 October to celebrate wildlife gardening successes in the district.

The competition, the first of its kind to promote the creation of gardens which are attractive and welcoming to both wildlife and people, is a joint initiative by Omagh District Council and the Ulster Wildlife Trust as part of its ‘Make Space for Nature’ campaign.

Winners and special commendations in Omagh’s Wildlife Gardening Competition 2008 were:

Best School Wildlife Garden Winner
Winner -Puddleducks Playgroup, Clanabogan
Special commendation – McClintock Primary School, Seskinore

Best Business Wildlife Garden
Winner - Omagh Hostel, Waterworks Road

Best Private Wildlife Gardens
Large garden – Mr Bob Salisbury, Drumconnelly
Small to medium garden – Mrs Sylvia Hetherington, Carrickmore
Special commendation – Matthew Allen, Recarson

So get tips and advice now on how you can ‘Make Space for Nature’ at home, at work, at school or within the local community. By getting started now you can prepare to enter Omagh’s Wildlife Gardening Competition 2009!

Sunday 28th September was a clear autumn’s day in Gortin Glen Forest Park where up to 200 people enjoyed Red Squirrel Day 2008.Organised by Omagh District Council, Forest Service Northern Ireland and Ulster Wildlife Trust, this annual event helped families learn more about red squirrels and the Gortin Glens. Cyril the Squirrel was there to greet everyone including this excited family.

Guided walks around the park led by Forest Service staff were very popular, as was the creative crafts indoors.And of many families entering the Red Squirrel quiz, the Giles family from Omagh were overall winners.

For more information on the Omagh District LBAP or to find out more about projects or events, please do not hesitate to contact me: