SouthCentralShamrockClub |
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June Meeting
The June 22 meeting held at Erin’s Snug Pub in Reedsburg was attended by Acting President John Delmore, Treasurer-Bob Hanes, Secretary-Luanne Krohn, Mary Gavin, Jan Delmore, Pat Frederickson, Kate Horkan, Annette Baker, Pat Hanes and I.
The discussion was how to entice more members to attend monthly meetings and add new faces to our club. John Delmore led our agenda. One factor is to have guest speakers at every meeting which is and was in the past well received.A Scholarship Committee is being developed by Bob Hanes who has years of experience in developing and implementing a scholarship fund (for us the first criteria will be to Irish –who would have guessed?!?– wishing to further their education). Great ideas to enhance our appeal were flowing constructively. As Membership Chair I have been lacking in sending out meeting notices individually but have used other reading sources to spread the news (i.e. local newspapers, church bulletins). So, I apologize and hope our new approach will bring us all together monthly.
The unanimous “Ayes” welcomed the new Irishman and Irish Rose announcements to be joyfully announced at our Annual Christmas Party in December. Thus, allowing our newly crowned Rose and Irishman to enjoy the accolades, cards and gathering their friends and family from afar to attend a memorable St. Patrick’s Day Party honoring their parent, friend, sister, brother, uncle, aunt.
The Butterfest Parade was cancelled due to flooding and clean-up. The Club is proud of its members who volunteered during this disaster which affected so many. God Bless.
Happy to report the annual Reedsburg Area Relay for Life- American Cancer Society fundraiser in June raised $115,000.
Excerpt from Bird Ireland.com
Ireland is undoubtedly one of the most exciting birding destinations in Europe.
Although it possesses fewer breeding species than neighboring countries, it has relatively healthy populations of some that are in serious decline elsewhere in Europe, such as Roseate Tern and Corncrake.
It also has some of the largest breeding seabird colonies in the world, huge flocks of wintering waders and wildfowl, dramatic seabird passage and a host of rare and unusual migrants.
It is uncrowded, and combined with beautiful, unspoilt scenery, will make for an exciting and unforgettable bird watching experience. Ireland also has three distinctive subspecies of breeding birds, Coal Tit, Jay and Dipper.
Our American Visitors. While Ireland’s western geographical location is not ideal for many European migrants, it is perfect for the occurrence of many North American species swept across the Atlantic on their long migration from Northeast Canada.
Every year, waders, gulls and passerines are found in the southern and southwestern counties. In autumn in County Wexford it is not unusual to encounter five species of Nearctic wader in one day. In the autumn of 1999, up to nine Buff-breasted Sandpipers were seen together in Wexford.
In the same autumn, at least five Chimney Swifts, a Common Nighthawk and a Swainson`s Thrush were recorded in Ireland.
Seabird bonanza. Ireland’s westerly location in Europe has also made it one of the best sea watching spots in Europe. Sites like Cape Clear Island in Cork records large movements of common seabirds like Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Fulmar and Kittiwake, while scarcer species such as Skuas (Jaegers), Cory`s, Sooty and Great Shearwaters are regularly encountered. In recent times Soft-plumaged (Fea`s) Petrels has become annual. Other hotspots for sea watching, including the Bridges-of-Ross and Kilcummin Head, have become Mecca’s for sea watchers.
Wintering wildfowl. Dominated by the warm Gulf Stream, Ireland enjoys relatively mild and wet winters, making it ideal as a wintering ground for wildfowl and waders. The Wexford Wildfowl Reserve holds over half the world’s population of Greenland White-fronted Geese, while Brent, Greylag and, on the west coast, Barnacle Geese are a common sight. Huge flocks of ducks and waders are to be seen in and around the loughs and estuaries of Ireland, with sites such as Lough Neagh in the North, and the Shannon Estuary holding tens of thousands of Lapwing, Knot, Golden Plover and a host of others.
Gulls galore. Each winter large numbers of northern gulls arrive in northern and western counties. Perhaps Killybegs in Donegal is the most famous, with Iceland and Glaucous Gulls occurring in double figures every winter. In recent years `smithsonianus` Herring Gulls have been found, while Killybegs also played host to a superb adult Thayer`s Gull, which attracted a very appreciative audience during its three-week stay.
Ireland holds one last superb attraction to the visiting birder - solitude. Birding is still in its youth in Ireland and its not unusual to spend a midweek day at one of Europe`s hotspots in perfect weather conditions, at the right time of the year, and not meet another birder.
Celebrating Birthdays in August: Bob (Robert) Horkan 8/3; Mary Gavin (Mrs. James Gavin) 8/15; Margaret Marchetti 8/21. Enjoy your day, Ladies & Gent!
Anniversary Blessings in August: Joe and Mary Lynett 8/9; Bob and Pat Hanes 8/10; Mick and Luanne Krohn 8/19; Scott and Suzanne Dischler 8/20.
Great summer reads Big Russ & Me and Wisdoms of Our Fathers by Tim Russert.
Give a call or hug to someone you love,
– Dana Horkan-Gant,
South Central Chairperson