Ten new White-tailed Eagle chicks arrived in Ireland from Norway last week to bolster population numbers as Phase II of the ongoing White-tailed Eagle reintroduction programme got underway.The ambitious reintroduction programme, a joint initiative between the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Golden Eagle Trust, began with the release of 100 Norwegian … [Read more...] about Irish eagle numbers boosted
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Live White-tailed Eagle Webcam
Thanks to the National Parks and Wildlife service we can now follow the intrigues and antics of the white-tailed eagle pair nesting in Glengarriff Co. Cork live via their very own nestcam.Part of a reintroduction programme for the species that began in 2007, the adult eagles (male Blue W and female Black P) have successfully hatched a chick over recent days and it's a … [Read more...] about Live White-tailed Eagle Webcam
Authorities ask for help to contain deadly crayfish plague
Authorities are urging water users on the River Suir to take precautions after confirmation of an outbreak of Crayfish Plague on the stretch of river downstream of Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir in Tipperary.DNA analysis following the discovery of a large number of dead crayfish in the river earlier this month has confirmed Crayfish Plague as the cause. The fungal disease … [Read more...] about Authorities ask for help to contain deadly crayfish plague
Successful convictions in Waterford raptor case
On 09 March in Dungarvan District Court the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) secured successful convictions in a high-profile wildlife crime case. The court convicted four felons of crimes relating to targeting and killing of protected birds of prey during the 2014 breeding season.The case began more than two years ago, in March 2014, when NPWS conservation … [Read more...] about Successful convictions in Waterford raptor case
Sad news as Irish white-tailed eagle chick dies of natural causes
News broke yesterday of a devastating development for the family of white-tailed eagles in Glengarriff, Co. Cork when it was announced that the 10 week old chick had died in the nest of natural causes just days before it was expected to fledge.One of five pairs of white-tailed eagle breeding in Ireland this year, the Glengarriff pair had successfully raised what appeared to … [Read more...] about Sad news as Irish white-tailed eagle chick dies of natural causes
Hen Harrier blog-star “Heather” shot dead in Co. Kerry
A young hen harrier has been found shot dead near Waterville in Co. Kerry.The satellite tagged bird-of-prey, a young female dubbed "Heather" by local schoolchildren, was part of a joint project by regional development organisation IRD Duhallow and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Heather became an online star via the Hen Harrier Ireland Blog, with thousands … [Read more...] about Hen Harrier blog-star “Heather” shot dead in Co. Kerry
Endangered natterjack toad makes an Irish comeback
The natterjack toad, the most threatened of only three native amphibian species to occur in Ireland, is making a comeback in its traditional strongholds on the Kerry coast according to a recent report by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).An ongoing habitat creation scheme established by the NPWS back in 2008 seems to be paying dividends, with staff describing … [Read more...] about Endangered natterjack toad makes an Irish comeback
IWDG calls for clarity following Donegal live stranding
In the wake of the unfortunate live stranding of 13 long-finned pilot whales in Co. Donegal last week, The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) -- a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to whale and dolphin research and conservation -- has called for clarity from state agencies in terms of which authority has responsibility for managing live-stranding events around the Irish … [Read more...] about IWDG calls for clarity following Donegal live stranding
Captive bred corncrakes could boost wild population
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Irish Grey Partridge Trust are working together on an innovative trial to breed the endangered corncrake in captivity for the first time in Ireland. Fota Wildlife Park in Co. Cork is assisting in the experimental captive breeding programme.A pair of corncrake eggs supplied by Fota Wildlife Park were successfully … [Read more...] about Captive bred corncrakes could boost wild population
Hen harrier shooting prompts call for Garda investigation
Birdwatch Ireland (BWI) has called on An Garda Siochána to launch an immediate investigation following the recent shooting of a hen harrier at a winter roost site in County Kerry.Hen Harriers are a species of high conservation concern in Ireland and are listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. They are protected under Irish and European law, and the loss of even one … [Read more...] about Hen harrier shooting prompts call for Garda investigation
Baltimore whale stranding: a good news story?
I was getting settled at my desk yesterday morning, pondering what to write for my Irish Independent wildlife column, when the phone beeped. It was a message from Padraig Whooley, sightings coordinator with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, telling me that a suspected fin whale had live-stranded in Baltimore, West Cork. He'd be passing my house in a quarter of an hour if I … [Read more...] about Baltimore whale stranding: a good news story?
Duhallow community backs hen harrier tracking project
A high-tech project to help scientists discover more about Ireland’s declining Hen Harrier population is underway in the Duhallow region thanks in no small part to support from the local community. The cutting edge satellite-tracking project is a collaboration between IRD Duhallow (the community focussed Integrated Rural Development body for the region) and the National Parks … [Read more...] about Duhallow community backs hen harrier tracking project
Ninth Wicklow red kite poisoning confirmed
A ninth red kite from the Irish project to reintroduce this magnificent bird of prey has been killed by poisoning .Tests on the bird, which was found dead near Brittas Bay at the end of last year, have confirmed the cause of death as illegal poisoning. It was a breeding female that had previously nested on a farm near Redcross, Co. Wicklow. Scavenging makes red kites … [Read more...] about Ninth Wicklow red kite poisoning confirmed
Under Threat: New Red List for Ireland’s Fish, Reptiles and Amphibians
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has issued the latest in a new series of All-Ireland Red Data Lists for fish, reptiles and amphibians. The list was compiled collaboratively by organisations both side of the border, and while the majority of species are categorised as Least Concern according to IUCN criteria, 40% of our native fish species (6 out of a total of 15) and … [Read more...] about Under Threat: New Red List for Ireland’s Fish, Reptiles and Amphibians
National survey of protected Marsh Fritillary imminent
A national survey of the rare marsh fritillary butterfly is currently being commissioned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the National Biodiversity Data Centre according to press reports at the end of last week. Butterfly expert and ecologist Dr Eugenie Regan of the National Biodiversity Data Centre described the survey as "the least we can do” for … [Read more...] about National survey of protected Marsh Fritillary imminent
New RED LIST for Irish Dragonflies
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has updated its International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List for Irish dragonfly and damselfly species. Published at the end of March this year the revised list reveals that 17% of our Irish dragonfly and damselfly species are threatened with extinction, with those from wetland habitats being the most vulnerable. … [Read more...] about New RED LIST for Irish Dragonflies
