A new book, ‘Homebirds’, written by Anne Marie McAleese – the host of radio show, ‘Your Place and Mine’ – and birding expert, Dot Blakely, features a piece on the pair’s visits to County Fermanagh.

When Anne Marie first invited birding expert Dot on to ‘Your Place and Mine’, she had no idea that it would mark the beginning of an enduring friendship and a life-changing birding odyssey.

For the next two decades, the pair travelled all across Northern Ireland, exploring the wonderful world of birds and the glorious and varied landscapes they inhabit.

‘Homebirds’ sees Anne Marie and Dot tell the inspiring and often funny story of their adventures. In all weathers, they make their way around parks and loughs, up hills and along coastlines, through villages and towns, meeting a cast of oystercatchers, blackcaps, fulmars, pied wagtails, buzzards, blue tits, herons, brent geese and many more.

On one of their visits to Fermanagh, Anne Marie and Dot were delighted to witness a swan with her cygnets as they sat at picnic benches along the edge of Lough Erne on a warm, clear day.

Detailing their experience in the book, Anne Marie wrote: “Stealing the show is a beautiful mute swan with her seven cygnets that Dot judges to be about five weeks old. This swan has been here before and, like the mallard ducks vying for our attention, is highly socialised.

“She leads her young serenely from one riverbank across the lough to our bank, within touching distance of the jetty. Dot says swans are well used to the people who frequent this idyllic town-centre outdoor space, but advises caution when it comes to feeding them.

“In recent years, various research bodies have said that white bread isn’t really the best food for wild birds. On balance, Dot thinks it’s probably better to give the ducks wet brown bread, seeds or green vegetables.

“The key thing, she says, is to get children involved and interested in birds from an early age, in the hope that they will grow to love, respect and understand them throughout their lives.

“The mother and baby swans radiate health and contentment. Sporting a shaggier look than the adults, their little grey wings snugly tucked away, a couple of the cygnets each lift one of their delicate grey legs out of the water and fold it onto the side of their body.

“The spellbound look on my face elicits a simple and enchanting explanation from Dot: there is no particular reason for this action other than they want to do it. Birds have minds of their own, and will do what they feel like doing.

“When the cygnets get tired paddling behind their mother, she drops her tail like a drawbridge, and up they scramble on to her back, glad of the rest and a lift home. They are indeed royal birds, and behave accordingly.”

Illustrated with more than 100 images, ‘Homebirds’ is packed with information on how to identify birds and attract them to your garden, and includes fascinating facts about the places visited.

Above all, ‘Homebirds’ is a celebration of the wonders of nature on our doorstep and a call for us all to get out and enjoy them.