I have terribly neglected my blog, I miss writing it so much – and of course the connection with all of you too! It’s been a busy year; but I don’t like looking back, just forward.

Its going to be a great year, a busy one and a challenging one but one that I hope sees much more positive action for nature and wildlife. I’m going to try and do my bit and the next few months will see me speaking at a few conferences and events. I’m excited about them and will share all I can with you!

I’ve been doing preliminary field work with Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group for our Raptor Satellite Tagging Project ‘Hawk Eyes’ (remember the fundraiser? ☺️ We’ll firstly be working on sub adult buzzard and red kite – the two most persecuted birds of prey here in Northern Ireland. We’re trying to lure the birds with meat traps – so far, no go but we won’t give up and it takes a lot of time and patience. I’ll keep you posted!

My two roles as an iWill and RSPCA Youth Ambassador will also be keeping me busy. I’ll be working with my community and helping them to connect with nature in interesting and creative ways – a new post coming soon about some funding I’ve received!

I’m also going to be helping Chris Packham with his campaign and his Manifesto For Wildlife – not sure how yet, but I’ve been told to get ready to work hard. Luckily I like working hard!

I’m in the throes of writing my book, one of the most intense, exhilarating, frustrating, joyous and terrifying experiences of my life, so far! It’s a rollercoaster of emotions- particularly as it’s written in real time, with real and raw emotions; all from the heart. I’ll be finished writing it by summer and it will be published next Spring!

I would like to wish you all a wonderful and wild 2019. Thank you so much for all your wonderful encouragement and support.

To leave you, I’ll share a moment I had today on my new local patch. It’s taken me a while to find my feet, but like I said before, root tendrils are entwining me to this new and majestic landscape. Here, I watched Brent Geese feed alongside Lapwing, Curlew, Greenshank, Little Egret and Godwits. The sun was setting and it really touched me; when I feel this everyday connection to nature, it makes me fight harder to protect it, to care for it and never stop sharing the beauty and wonder of it.

Every week, I’ll share a new element of my patch. I do this on Twitter but I’d like to share my ‘Nature Notes from the Mourne Mountains’ here, too.

Thank you all

Dara