Omss Bird: Sep 12, 2011

BirdWatch Ireland

Dear Omss,

I acknowledge with thanks receipt of your registration details for working/volunteering with BirdWatch Ireland.

Your details will now be held in confidence by us. You may be contacted by a staff member of BirdWatch Ireland should your skills match the requirements of any upcoming projects or new posts, however, it is recommended that you keep a watch on our website www.birdwatchireland.ie for updates on volunteering / employment. This panel has a life-span of 12 months from the date of your submission. You may update this form at any time by completing our survey form on SurveyMonkey. Otherwise, you will receive an email at this time asking you to update or clarify whether or not you wish to remain on the register. Your details will be deleted from the system (as required by the Data Protection Acts) if you choose not to resubmit or update your details when contacted at the end of this time period. Personal details will only be used in the short-listing of candidates suited to certain jobs, contracts and tenders.

AS you have not already presented your CV with your original submission, please do so as soon as possible by emailing the undersigned and entering CV: and your full name in the subject line. Applications without a supporting CV may preclude you from selection.

We greatly appreciate your willingness to donate your time to protecting Ireland’s wild birds and their habitats. There are a number of ways in which volunteers can choose to help protect birds and biodiversity.

Membership

Join us as a member at http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Membership/tabid/79/Default.aspx

Sign up for our ezine at http://ymlp.com/signup.php?id=geeubjqgmgb

Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BirdWatchIreland

Take part in a Bird Survey

We carry out a large number of bird surveys nationwide, and depend heavily on volunteers to help us with these. If you visit the following page on our website, it tells you which surveys we seek volunteers for and each has links to the relevant Project Manager so that you can email them directly to register for your chosen surveys. We've listed the main ones below. http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Ourwork/Surveysandprojects/tabid/248/Default.aspx.

1. Garden Bird Survey (ocrowe@birdwatchireland.ie)

2. Countryside Bird Survey: Dick Coombes (rcoombes@birdwatchireland.ie)

3. Atlas: Brian Caffrey (bcaffrey@birdwatchireland.ie)

4. IWeBs: Helen Boland (hboland@birdwatchireland.ie)

Participate in your local BirdWatch Ireland Branch

We have very active branches of BirdWatch Ireland throughout the country who have regular events and talks. Please visit our website: www.birdwatchireland.ie then click Events then click Branch Events and then select the county nearest you to view contact details and any upcoming events of that branch.

I hope you choose to follow up on at least some of these suggestions as to how you can help us.

Many thanks,

Regards,

Tríona Franks

Midlands Office Administrator

BirdWatch Ireland

Crank House | Banagher | Co.Offaly | Ireland

Tel: +353 (0)57 9151676; email: tfranks@birdwatchireland.ie

Last Chance to Atlas – with just 4 months to go please enter your spring & summer bird sightings to www.birdatlas.net

BirdWatch Ireland - protecting birds and biodiversity

To join as a member, make a donation, volunteer or shop online visit www.birdwatchireland.ie or call us on +353 (0)1 281 9878

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BirdWatch Ireland is the trading name of the Irish Wildbird Conservancy. Cairde Éanlaith Éireann. Registered in Ireland, Company Number 116468. Registered Charity Number 5703.

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The Latest from Bird Crafts

Real Parties: "A Pink, Vintage Paris" Sweet 15th Birthday!!

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 02:08 AM PDT

Today's party feature was sent to us by Fara from Little Things Creations, who did a wonderful job with her daughter's sweet 15th birthday party!!

I simply adore anything Paris, and I although we've seen a lot of Paris themed parties lately, I think Fara really managed to inject a little "je ne sais quoi" into her styling with all the fabulous vintage twists and gorgeous lace details! Check out all the fabulousness below...

Merci Beaucoup Fara, for sharing your fabulous party with us!! :)

NEWS: Bird's Party Magazine now in print!!

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:18 AM PDT

By popular demand, we are very happy to announce that you can now purchase your copy of Bird's Party Magazine - Fall 2011 Issue, in print!! Woo-Hoo!!

I couldn't resist and have purchased a copy myself... ;D
Click here to get your paper copy today!!

Dr. Jungle's Animal Speak

Animal World’s Pet of The Week – The Friesian Horse

Posted: 11 Sep 2011 05:47 PM PDT

Friesian Horse

The Animal World Featured Pet for this week is: The Friesian Horse!

When thinking of a Friesian Horse, most people immediately think of a beautiful and elegant black horse with manes and tails that are long, thick and flowing. Indeed, these horses are very beautiful and they actually are used as dressage and carriage horses in many places! Historically, these horses came from Friesland (hence its name), and is thought to have come from the old Forest Horse. Very interestingly, both German and Friesian knights rode these horses during the crusades! Also pretty neat are the other horse breeds that were influenced from the Friesian – such as the Shire horse, the Oldenburger, and the Fell and Dale ponies.

I, of course, have a love for horses. Growing up I had two horses. One was an Arabian named Orion who I had when I was younger and the other was an all-black horse named Leo. Leo was not a Friesian, but he was a wonderful horse all the same and I rode him at the end of my high school years and through most of college. I think that Leo was the horse who really gave me an awe of Friesians, just because he was all-black.

In general, Friesians have the reputation of being very gentle, willing to train, and pretty much wonderful horses. They are considered a light horse breed, which means that they usually weigh under 1500 pounds and are good horses for leisure riding, showing, and some light ranch work. They have long hair on their lower legs which is usually not trimmed and looks like "feathering." They stand on average 15 hands high and are muscular and compact. Because of their thick manes and tails and the hair on their lower legs, they need quite a bit of regular grooming to keep them looking nice.

Recently Friesians have become more and more popular in the film industry. They became "famous" from the popular stallion Othello who first aired in the film Ladyhawke in 1985. More recently Friesians have been used in the moves The Mask of Zorro, 300 and Eragon. In other forms of entertainment, they are often shown off at horse shows and used in circus acts.

If you are looking into obtaining a Friesian, they are available pretty readily in both Europe and the United States. They can be quite expensive if they are trained, however you can purchase them for cheaper if you are willing and able to get them younger and train them yourself.

One disease you will want to keep an eye out for in your young and rapidly growing Friesian is a disease called Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). This can occur in horses that will mature to be over 15 hands and is basically occurs when cartilage at the end of growing bones breaks down rather than turning into bone. These pieces that break off can turn into painful bone cysts which will cause pain and inflammation in any joint that this occurs at. Treatments that can work to either fix or reduce symptoms include surgery, rest, and joint injections.

Another infection that Friesians can be prone to is a disease called Scratches. This is basically scabbing that occurs due to excess moisture in certain areas that don’t always get a chance to dry such as the pastern and fetlocks (around the horses hooves). The best solutions are to just dry out the area and possibly scrub the area with an iodine scrub for a few days if needed.

If you would like to learn more about the fascinating Friesians, their history and just general horse care, check out theFriesian page!

Jasmine is a team member at Animal-World and has contributed many articles and write-ups.