Recent walks and walks to come

The December walk takes place on Sunday December 14th .  Starting at Cheekpoint Quay at 1.30 pm the route takes in the river road along to Cheekpoint  Marsh and up and over the Minaun to finish back in Cheekpoint.   The Godwit have returned from Iceland, the red squirrels are gathering winter stores in the Glazing Woods, the evergreens are lustrous in the sun,  and the mince pies await at journey’s end.  We will seek dry terrain and even surface,  but it is winter,  so wear waterproof boots or walking shoes and be prepared for a gentle climb over the Minaun.   All welcome. 

Grid reference S 685 138

Click here for a picture from Street View.

 

The November walk was held on Sunday November 9th from the Saratoga Pub, Woodstown The focus was on the Suir Estuary life and the walk went along Dromina Strand and Crooke Strand to Passage.   

 

The October walk took place at Ballyduff house near Inistioge on October 12th. The Ballyduff estate borders the river Nore and the walk along a stretch of the river and through stands of native hardwoods. 

Portlaw September walk

Waterford IWT holds its first walk of the new season on Sunday 14th September at 2.30 pm.  Venue is Portlaw and the route includes the Clodiagh  River, Kilbunny Woods and Kilbunny Church and back to Portlaw.  About 2.5 hours.  Meeting point is the Square Portlaw near the Heritage Centre. We are delighted to have John Crotty, woodsman,  with us  to talk to us about the area.   All welcome.  Looking forward to seeing you there.

Kilbarry evening walk

Waterford IWT concludes its programme of summer evening walks with a ramble along the old Tramore Railway through Kilbarry Bog on Tuesday August 5^th.   The walk starts from the car park at Supervalue, Tramore Road.  The start time is 7.30 pm sharp  and the walk takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.   Kilbarry Bog is a wonderful wetland habitat and our resident ecologist Denis Cullen will be on hand to tell us about its ecology and other points of interest.

Japanese Knotweed

I am sure by now you have all seen the invasive Japanese Knotweed by the side of the road.
We can all submit records to the National Biodiversity Centre Data bank by logging  in here to submit records.
I have logged in 4 locations: 3 on the Dunmore to Waterford road (on the entrance to Dunmore village, beside the new roundabout; at Belle Lake; and opposite Harneys pub); and in a couple of places on the restored landfill in Tramore.
I have been informed that a new app for your phone will soon be available along the lines of the Butterfly app so that you can record in the field.

Tramore Backstrand walk

Waterford IWT continued its programme of summer evening walks with a ramble along the Backstrand in Tramore. Thanks to Denis for the picture.

Dunmore East heritage walk

The Barony of Gaultier History Society is pleased to launch its summer programme of evening walks on Tuesday June 24th.   A stimulating and entertaining ramble through the built heritage and history of Dunmore East spiced by some anecdotal humour and storytelling.   Dunmore like you’ve never heard it!  Meeting point is the lighthouse at the Harbour and the time is 7.30 pm sharp.  All welcome and we’ll add something for the older kids.  

Fenor evening walk

Waterford Irish Wildlife Trust begins its summer programme of evening walks on Tuesday June 10th  with a visit to Fenor Bog and area.   The bog is coming into its summer glory now and Denis Cullen will be our guide  to point out its features and ecology.  Start time is 7.30 pm sharp and the meeting point is the carpark at Fenor Bog just beyond the church.   Fenor Bog is a very good example of a fen bog and we owe a tremendous ‘thank you ‘ to the Fenor community for their efforts and expense in building a board walk so that all can appreciate and enjoy this wonderful part of our physical heritage.

The IPCC guide to the Fenor bog can be viewed here.

A pdf on the bog can be downloaded here from the Waterford County Council.