A Swift Evening In Mullingar
A ‘stuffed’ common swift (Apus apus) in the collections of the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History
Science Week takes places this November and it includes a wide range of activities facilitated by Midlands Science in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. As well as a wide range of events for children and teenagers, there is also an extensive programme for the general public exploring everything from the menopause to music. A special event is taking place in Mullingar on November 14th and it’s all about swifts, nothing to do with the well known singer Taylor Swift and her fans but about the birds who have been recorded in large numbers in Mullingar.
Where is one of the best places to see swifts in Ireland? How fast and how far do they fly? What do their eggs and natural nests look like? Discover this and more at the Midlands Science Festival by joining Geraldine Breen from the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History for her talk on the common swift – a summer visitor to Irish skies. This engaging talk welcomes swift beginners and enthusiasts and will cover an introduction to the species and how we can help them, as well as provide a peek behind the scenes into the swift collections held by the Museum. Geraldine Breen commented, “We are excited to be a part of the Midlands Science Festival for Science Week 2024 and are really looking forward to visiting Mullingar – a important destination for Irish swifts. Natural history museum collections, such as a ‘stuffed’ bird or skeleton, not only inspire museum visitors but also scientists and artists. These science collections help us to understand the natural world around us and guide us in protecting nature or biodiversity. I’m really looking forward to sharing some stories about these fascinating collections, focusing on the wonder that is the common swift. Please join me on the 14th November as we celebrate Irish swifts and acknowledge the school drawing competition winners for their creations helping to raise awareness of Ireland’s biodiversity through science and art.”
Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science explained ; “this year we are delighted to welcome the National Museum of Ireland, Natural History to Mullingar for a special event for Science Week where we will all have the chance to learn more about swifts, those amazing aerial acrobats. Science is a great way to understand the world around us and to notice the wonder that is there. These tiny birds are superb flyers. They sleep, eat, bath and even mate while flying ! They rarely touch the ground and fly thousands of miles from Ireland each year to spend winter in Africa. Connecting with the natural world through learning more about birds like swifts can be really rewarding and interesting and this talk is suitable from age 12 and up.”
Associated with this event, there is also a Midlands Science drawing competition for primary and secondary school students who are been asked to draw swifts and some of the things that can be done to protect them and Westmeath organisations involved in nature and wildlife issues who include science in their work are encouraged to apply to Midlands Science for consideration for a Science for Nature Award which will provide the successful group with some education resources to use in their work. Both the drawing competition winners and Science for Nature group will be presented with their prizes before the swifts talk by Geraldine Breen of the National Museum of Ireland, Natural History and a small exhibition of photos of swifts by local wildlife photographer Conor Henry will be on display.
Other events in Westmeath this year include events focussed on cold water swimming, music, ADHD, and an Exploration Day for schools. A special science map of the midlands is being produced by Midlands Science with Dr Claire O’Connell and will include places and people of interest from each county related to science including a Westmeath man’s role in accurately measusing the temperature of the sun! The map will be available across the region and is free of charge. Pop-up activities such as events exploring optical illusions will also take place in local shopping centres. Events are all free of charge but must be booked in advance and all details are available on www.midlandsscience.ie
