Madam, - This is the time of year when migratory breeding birds start to return to Ireland, undertaking their arduous journeys from Africa and southern Europe. The Irish Times's letter page has long been the forum where birdwatchers keep us all up to date with reports of their first cuckoos; long may this tradition continue.
We would like to ask any readers who are fortunate enough see or hear a cuckoo over the coming weeks and months to submit the details to Spring Alive, an exciting new pan-European project organised by BirdWatch Ireland and BirdLife International. We would also love to hear about readers first sightings of swallows and swifts.
Taking part in Spring Alive is very easy: people are asked simply to enter the date and location of their observations via the project's website - www.springalive.net.
Every single observation is important in helping to conserve these remarkable species. Thanks to the public's input, we will be able to check the birds' arrival dates across Ireland and see how different factors influence their migratory movements. To help observers to get to know as much as possible about the species covered by the project, key information about them has been made available at www.springalive.net, including photos, sound recordings, video clips, and even interactive games for children and teachers. - Yours, etc,
NIALL HATCH, Development Officer, BirdWatch Ireland, Newcastle, Co Wicklow.