BLACKBIRDS DO SOME DIY!
June 2005 June 2005
THE new county animal pound at Whiterath, Dromiskin will generate almost all of its own power when the facility opens later in the summer, using an 11.5m high wind turbine.
County vet Garrett Shine explains the council’s decision to install the turbine.
‘It was part of the overall project from an early stage.
‘Although we are the veterinary department we are also part of the environment section of the county council, so when plans were drawn up for the pound we wanted to do something ‘green’.
‘On looking at the site it was felt a turbine would be ideal because it is in an exposed area. We also believed it would blend in with other structures such as the lights from the new motorway and be relatively unobtrusive.’
The turbine, which cost less than €20,000, has a pay-back period of 15 years. After that, it will begin to save the council money. Excess power created can be fed back into the National Grid.
The animal pound is in the final stages of development.
A family of blackbirds find they can get everything they need to feel comfortable at Atlantic Homecare!
Staff at the store in Dundalk Retail Park have been keeping a watchful eye on a nest which is becoming something of an attraction for customers to the garden department.
‘We discovered the nest on one of the trolleys used for storing plants outside about four weeks ago,’ explains Pádraig Breen, customer services desk.
‘We decided not to disturb it. About two weeks later we noticed that the eggs had hatched and there were four little fledglings.’
Despite the fact the trolley is right outside the door, with customers passing in and out, the parents seize the opportunity to swoop in and feed the young birds.
Much to the delight of staff, the first fledgling makes its maiden flight.
The nest is a hit with callers, attracting a lot of attention, with parents lifting their children up to get a closer look at the new residents.