Did you know that a curlew can hear a worm underground, a hawk can see a mouse half a mile away, an owl can turn its head 360 degrees and an ant can lift an object up to 50 times its own weight?
Such nuggets are found in the first issue of the Creagh Chronicle, a newsletter produced by Creagh National School in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, which recently won the Esso Schools Wildlife Challenge.
Produced by sixth class pupils, along with teachers Ms Stephanie Keating and Mr Johnny Johnston, the Chronicle aims to "create an awareness of the wonders of nature" in the parish and to alert people to threats to the environment, but to do so in a light-hearted and enjoyable way.
The newsletter applies both new technology (computer images) and old (hand-written articles) in its design. "We wanted it to be a rollercoaster of information, art, poetry and games," one of the participants, Cillian Hurst, said.
Also due to receive a clap on the back in Sligo this morning are pupils of Letterfrack National School - one of 40 schools represented at the Connacht/Ulster regional round of the ESB national environmental awareness awards. Letterfrack came second in the Galway section, won by Carnaun National School.
Their main influence is the dynamic environmentalist and teacher, Mr Leo Hallissey, who is also hosting the only environmental summer school in the country next month.
Mr Hallissey has been running the Connemara Summer School since 1984, and his team includes Dr Dave McGrath, marine biologist and lecturer at the Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology; Ms Sinead Keane, botanist and ecologist; Ms Catherine Hannon, ecologist and expert on bird-life; archaeologist Mr Michael Gibbons; Ms Catherine Byrne, INTO assistant general secretary; and Mr Don Conroy, naturalist, artist and author.
The summer school is being held this year on Inishbofin and is open to all. The dates are July 6th to 10th, the fee is £70 for tuition only. The ferry runs daily from Cleggan at 11.30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.
For more details and booking, contact Leo Hallissey at the Connemara Environmental Education Centre, Letterfrack National School, telephone (095)41034 or 43443.