Ornithologist Seán Ronayne from Cobh, Co. Cork is on a mission to record the sound of every bird species in Ireland – that’s nearly 200 birds.
Often joined by his partner Alba, he travels to some of the country’s most beautiful and remote locations to capture its most elusive species and soundscapes: the busy seabird colony of Skellig Michael; a native woodland free from road noise in the Burren; the corncrake stronghold of Tory Island; a solitary nest in the Donegal uplands.
Along the way we get to know Seán, whose hypersensitivity to sound has proven both a struggle and a strength. At once inspiring and cautionary, Seán’s journey illustrates the beauty and importance of sound, and what listening can tell us about the state of our natural world (2024, Ireland, English language, 52 mins)
NB: This screening will be introduced by NatureNorthWest’s lead nature guide, Aengus Kennedy, who will introduce participants to the joys of ornithology, a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds, and explore the art of listening to birdsong. After the movie, a question and answer session will be delivered by Aengus and renowned locally-based bird artist Robert Vaughan of Robert Vaughan Illustrations.
Suitable for all ages, although children should be accompanied by an adult.