On May 20th, Ms. Naughton and Ms. Mullaney’s fourth class students visited Ballybane Library to take part in a special event celebrating Biodiversity Week. The guest speaker was Susan O’Donohoe, a birdwatcher and author from County Clare, who shared her knowledge and passion for wildlife with the students.
Susan introduced the children to her book Golden Wings, which focuses on the fascinating life of barn owls in Ireland. During her presentation, she read from the book and used a slideshow to explain the behavior, habitats, and hunting patterns of owls. The slideshow included detailed images and scientific information, making it an engaging learning experience for all.
As part of the session, Susan brought along real-life samples, including owl feathers and preserved pygmy shrews—one of the owl’s common prey. She demonstrated how an owl’s wings are specially adapted for silent flight, highlighting unique features such as wing shape and feather structure.
To conclude the visit, Susan generously gave each student a copy of Golden Wings to take home. The afternoon was both educational and inspiring, leaving students with a deeper understanding of Irish wildlife and the importance of biodiversity.
