2008 Press Releases
25.01.2008
The observation of blackbird nesting in a Christmas tree on the campus shows signs of an early spring. Today (January 25th 2008) the eggs, which were found in the nest by staff from the Office of Buildings and Estates last week, have hatched into three young Blackbirds.
Professor John O'Halloran, Department of Zoology, Ecology & Plant Science (ZEPS) examined the nest last week and confirmed that these were viable black bird eggs laid this year. "This is a very early record for breeding birds and based on our calculations the first egg of the clutch was laid on January 5th, a record. Typically, these birds don't breed until late February or early March and this record is extraordinary", he said. While one swallow doesn't make a summer, one early breeding bird does not make a spring, this observation is adding to a body of observations which is showing a number of species breeding early, as predicted by climate change models. "These observations fit with research data we have been collecting in UCC on a model breeding bird the dipper, which has show signs of shifting of their breeding season also by a number of weeks", explained Professor O'Halloran. Hopefully, the weather will be kind to these birds on the campus in the next few weeks as they attempt to raise their young on the UCC Campus.
Blackbird young grow fast and we can expect to see these birds on the lawn of the campus in about two weeks. It is important that these birds are not disturbed during this period.
See http://interactive.ucc.ie:16080/live/
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