Horizons

Whales and oil: A new $12 billion ExxonMobil oil-drilling project just off Russia's Sakhalin Island will threaten the endangered Western Pacific grey whale, according to this month's Ecologist magazine.

The grey whales spend five months a year feeding in a narrow strip near the shoreline of Sakhalin Island, where ExxonMobil plans to drill for oil. In recent years, scientists have observed a number of apparently underweight whales, leading some to believe that oil exploration and production in the region has already had a negative impact. Shell Oil has also been producing commercial oil there since 1999 and has come under attack from local environmentalists for harming the region's rich fishing populations. See www.pacificenvironment.org.

Handmade Christmas

If you are keen to decorate your home a bit differently this Christmas, here are a few options. Cottage Garden Herbs at Ballyconnell Lodge, Tullow, Co Carlow, is running a one-day course on making wreaths and garlands on Saturday, December 7th. Cost: €115. Next Saturday there is a one-day course on Christmas recipes. Cost: €150. Tel: 0503-56312, e-mail: info@cottagegardenherbs.ie.

The Organic Centre in Rossinver, Co Leitrim, is hosting a two-day course in making decorations on Saturday, November 30th and Sunday, December 1st. Cost: €65. Tel: 072-54338, e-mail organiccentre@eircom.net

The Irish Seedsavers Association in Capparoe, Scariff, Co Clare, is hosting a workshop in Christmas decorations on December 7th from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Tel: 061-921866, e-mail: vivien@irishseedsavers.ie.

Bird survey

Birdwatchers keen to participate in this winter's ESB Garden Birdwatch Survey should get their forms now from Birdwatch Ireland. Participants are required to do weekly peak counts (i.e. the highest number in their garden at any one time) of each species of bird observed from December 2nd until February 24th. Birdwatch Ireland, Ruttledge House, 8 Longford Place, Monkstown, Co. Dublin. Tel: 01-2804322. E-mail: bird@indigo.ie

Blackwater eco-village

Ireland's second eco-village project is currently in planning. Initiated by the Blackwater Resource Development, a community-owned company in Fermoy, the project aims to create a rural clustered housing development that will follow high standards of social, environmental and economic sustainability. If you would like to become involved, contact Niamh Twomey, Environmental Development Officer, 68 Patrick St, Fermoy, Co Cork. Tel: 025-33411. E-mail: niamhtwomey@iol.ie.

An apple today

This year's apple harvest is down 70 per cent, so tomorrow's Apple Selling Day at the Irish Seedsavers Association orchard in Capparoe, Scariff, Co Clare, has an added appeal. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors to the orchard can get free advice on apple trees and buy trees from more than 100 native varieties. Tel: 061-921866.