wild and Wonderful

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

If you were watching the nine o’clock news programme on RTE One last Sunday you’ll have seen some amazing footage of flocks of starlings flying above Belfast, swirling and swooping in the darkening skies, looking more liquid than solid, twisting and turning like ink dropped into water. Starlings’ habit of congregating in the evenings is most common in winter, and the flocks’ numbers swell substantially at this time of year, when birds from as far away as Russia visit Ireland. Some flocks have been estimated to number over a million birds. Despite the huge flocks that congregate not only in towns but also in rural areas, the common starling isn’t as common as it once was: in Britain it is now officially an endangered species, its population there having declined by over half in the last 25 years.

The regular evening gathering, which takes place just before the birds roost for the night – in trees or on buildings – is known, rather charmingly, as a “murmuration”: less charmingly, their droppings can create enormous problems in towns and cities. In 1949 so many of the birds landed on Big Ben in London that they stopped the clock. Flocks of starlings have also been known to damage aircraft, and in 1960 a plane taking off from Boston crashed after flying into a flock of starlings. In European and American cities various methods have been used to disperse the birds – netting, hawks, poison, and loudhailers broadcasting starlings’ alarm calls – with varying degrees of success.

Weekly recipe by Chefs of Mayo

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Chicken liver and tarragon paté
Preparation: 20 minutes plus chilling time

Finding your inner bike chick after 40

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

If you’re over 40 then it is time to get in touch with the wild side and bring some fun back into the way you dress, so that you don’t end up feeling and looking like a dowdy old lady. Why not get noticed for the wonderful person that you are? And use clothes to do it. Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you find your true style.

Wild and Wonderful

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Winter is upon us, and food supplies for wild animals and birds are running low. Providing food for birds in the garden is not only a great way to help them survive the winter, it also attracts a variety of species to the garden and provides an opportunity to observe them and their feeding habits. You do need to be careful about what food you put out and where you site bird tables and feeders, but it’s no more complicated than applying simple common sense. For example, if you have cats, don’t put bird feeders where the cats are likely to be able to catch unsuspecting birds: position hanging feeders at the end of long tree branches and well away from places where the cats can hide under cover ready to leap out. You could also wrap a length of barbed wire loosely around the branch or, if you have a bird table, around the top of the post.

Head for the Austrian slopes direct from Knock

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

Fantastic special offers from only €339 plus taxes

Sport, shopping and fine dining, Manchester has it all

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

The Mancunian football rivalries may be bitter, but what unites football fans throughout Manchester is their passion. It’s a sport that defines the city, and when match day comes, you can sense the excitement everywhere. And while sport is synonymous with Manchester, its shopping is equally impressive. That’s what I learned on a whirlwind media trip to Manchester where we marvelled at the sights and sounds of Old Trafford, the Northern District and two of Manchester’s top eateries. If you and your partner are thinking of booking a weekend away, Manchester won’t disappoint.

I Want, Ballina now open

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

For your maternity, child and gift needs
A unique and refreshing new concept for maternity, children’s wear and gift ideas is now open in Ballina. I Want, which is owned by Kerry Baird, is a spacious and well-designed store whose concept is a strong customer focus with an interest in whatever the customer needs.

Taste of Knockranny

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

This weekend (November 21 to 23), Knockranny House Hotel and Spa are hosting Taste of Knockranny! The event, which caters for hotel guests as well as the public on the Saturday, will showcase all the delicacies the area surrounding the hotel has to offer, with local producers exhibiting at the event, wine tastings, cocktail demonstrations and lots more!

Wild and Wonderful

Fri, Nov 14, 2008

Last Sunday night, after a day of wind, cold, heavy rain and pelting hail, the whole miserable day came to a climax with a dramatic thunderstorm. At which our senior dog, who is a terrible worrier at the best of times, shrank beside the sofa, trembling and whimpering; while the junior dog, who is so laid back – or possibly just totally unaware of his environment – that you could drop a bomb on him and he wouldn’t notice, lay in front of her with his head on his paws looking sympathetic but bewildered.

World Diabetes Day

Fri, Nov 14, 2008

Carrying too much weight around your middle increases your risk of diabetes and heart disease, that’s according to Ciara Heverin, Community Diabetes Dietitian with the Community Nutrition Service, HSE West. As today, November 14, is World Diabetes Day, Ciara wants to highlight the growing number of people being diagnosed with diabetes in Ireland.

Learn a life saving skill

Fri, Nov 14, 2008

Local charity Croí are offering CPR training for members of the general public and family and friends of people living with heart disease in Mayo on Wednesday November 26 in Hotel Westport from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Meet the Spuds!

Fri, Nov 14, 2008

Over 72 schools in Mayo have participated in a Meet the Spuds! challenge, where they all harvested the Colleen potato variety in an effort to create a greater appeal of the Irish potato in Mayo throughout the month of November.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.