Belmont National School

Hatching Time

We were very excited to see one of our chicks hatch today. We got a top of the range brinsea incubator supplied with 7 eggs, these eggs have been candled to ensure that they all have a developing embryo inside. It would be expected that you would have at least 4-5 chicks hatch from these. We also got a brooder box that we will transfer the chicks into after they have hatched, this includes a chick heat plate to keep them warm and a drinker and feeder. The equipment and chicks will be collected at the end of the second week of the programme. We got it from hatch4schools.com 

Here are some photos of the visit to the salmon hatchery in Cong. The children saw the eggs being harvested from the female salmon. 

We had a very interesting morning getting a tour of the brand new state of the art wastewater treatment plant in Milltown. Representatives from Irish Water and Galway County Council officially launched the new treatment plant. Minister Seán Canney, TD’s Mary Hoade and Anne Rabbite were in attendance along with Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Michael Connolly.  

Seán who works with Irish Water did some experiments with us. They were really interesting. We all got a shower timer. We will all be having four minute showers from now on! Then Cormac gave us a very informative tour of the treatment plant. It was a great morning and helps us as we aim for our green flag for biodiversity. 

The children in the junior room went on a hunt for the robin today. They had a toy robin that emits the call of the robin. They were hoping to hear a robin call back. I think it was too cold today for the poor robin.