FRANCIS BRADLEYhas the weekly round-up of news for the outdoor type
Mushroom mania
Big Bill’s Mushroom Hunt will take place at Avondale House, Co Wicklow, on Saturday, October 2nd. This is a great way to learn about mushrooms with a full day of foraging for fungi in this grand setting. The day starts at 9.30am and includes morning tea/coffee, a light lunch and a mushroom identification workshop and tasting. More than 120 different fungi have been found on previous hunts. The cost is €65 per person. Advance booking is essential. Contact Avondale House, tel: 0404-46111, or see mushroomstuff.com.
Watch the birdie
Enrolment is taking place for the popular birdwatching foundation course presented by Eric Dempsey, a professional bird guide, broadcaster and writer. The course takes place in the People’s College, Parnell Square, Dublin, and begins on Wednesday, October 4th, at 6pm. Participants will be taught the skills and techniques to allow them to identify the birds of Ireland. The course consists of 11 modules, with the last being a four-hour field trip. The emphasis for the October-December term will be on autumn/winter birds. Fee €70. For details, tel: 01-8735879 or visit peoplescollege.ie.
A Halloween hoot
Killarney National Park Education Centre will run Halloween environmental camps for seven to 12 year olds from Tuesday to Friday, October 26th to 29th. Each camp will take place from 9.30am to 3pm and children will get to experience nature close up and learn about some of the plants and animals of Killarney National Park. They will also get to make a number of things to bring home, such as bird-nesting and bat-roosting boxes, wormeries, bug houses and other craft items. For details, tel: 064-6631440 or see killarneynationalpark.ie.