Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1) has hit Irish seabird colonies this breeding season after running rampant through similar colonies in the UK earlier this year. The disease, which can infect a wide range of bird species, appears to have hit breeding Gannet colonies particularly hard.Gannets, our larges seabird, nest in dense colonies on uninhabited … [Read more...] about Avian Influenza hits Irish seabird colonies
raptors
Rare Marsh Harrier breeds successfully in Ireland again
For the first time in more than a century, not one, but two pairs of Marsh Harrier have bred successfully in the Republic of Ireland.The Irish Raptor Study Group (IRSG) confirmed in December that the rare birds of prey successfully reared young at sites in counties Galway and Westmeath during the 2020 breeding season. The last recorded breeding of the species in Ireland was … [Read more...] about Rare Marsh Harrier breeds successfully in Ireland again
White-tailed eagle chicks fledge successfully in 3 counties
A total of six white-tailed eagle chicks successfully fledged from five nests in three different counties in 2016, making this the most successful year to date in the long-term reintroduction programme for this iconic bird of prey in Ireland.Eight pairs of white-tailed eagle attempted to breed and successfully laid eggs in 2016 and five pairs managed to rear chicks … [Read more...] about White-tailed eagle chicks fledge successfully in 3 counties
Buzzards on patch… what a buzz!
I've always had a soft spot for buzzards.I grew up on the North Wales coast, where buzzards were relatively common. I'd hear their lofty mewling calls as I walked to meet the school bus in the morning, and would watch them soaring overhead in the afternoon as I returned home. They were a mainstay of my wildlife-watching education -- a fundamental component of my … [Read more...] about Buzzards on patch… what a buzz!
White-tailed eagle found dead in Co. Fermanagh
The body of a white-tailed eagle was recovered by PSNI officers from the Newbridge Road area of Lisnaskea in Co. Fermanagh on Saturday 07 February.Commenting on the PSNI Fermanagh post on Facebook, Dr Alan Mee, coordinator of the white-tailed eagle reintroduction project for the Golden Eagle Trust said: "Sad end to a beautiful bird. This white-tailed eagle was almost 4 … [Read more...] about White-tailed eagle found dead in Co. Fermanagh
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
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
The peregrine falcon is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most impressive birds. A large, powerful falcon it is considered by many to be the ultimate bird-of-prey, diving in a spectacular, vertical stoop to strike its quarry – other birds – in mid air. The peregrine is thought to reach speeds of up to 180 mph as it plummets earthward, though it usually levels off slightly and slows … [Read more...] about Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Ireland’s first white-tailed eagle fledgling shot dead in Tipparary
One of the first two white-tailed eagles to hatch in Ireland in more than a century has been found shot dead in Co. Tipperary.The male bird was one of two chicks reared successfully by a pair of re-introduced eagles at a nest site on Lough Derg near Mountshannon in Co. Clare last summer. It was discovered on land near Ballinderry, North Tipperary by a National Parks and … [Read more...] about Ireland’s first white-tailed eagle fledgling shot dead in Tipparary
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
Fast and agile, the sparrowhawk is a supremely capable aerial predator. This fierce-looking bird is one of our most common and widespread raptors, and is found throughout the country. However its shy and secretive nature means that it often goes undetected.Sparrowhawks are medium-sized birds, with a body length of between 28 and 30 centimetres (11 and 15 inches), a wingspan … [Read more...] about Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
First Irish white-tailed eagle chicks fledge at Mountshannon, Co. Clare
Irish born white-tailed eagles are on the wing again for the first time in more than a century.A pair of reintroduced adult eagles successfully reared two chicks at a nest site on Lough Derg, near Mountshannon, Co. Clare. Both chicks fledged successfully last week in what is a momentous milestone for the high profile white-tailed eagle reintroduction programme, which began … [Read more...] about First Irish white-tailed eagle chicks fledge at Mountshannon, Co. Clare
Birdwatch Ireland responds to Cllr.’s “Open Season on Hen Harrier” remarks
Ireland's largest conservation charity, Birdwatch Ireland, has responded strongly to recent comments by Limerick Co. Councillor John Sheahan calling for an "Open Season" on the protected hen harrier -- one of most threatened birds."Cllr. Sheahan's ill-informed and short-sighted statement shows how far we have to travel as a state in prioritising our natural heritage over … [Read more...] about Birdwatch Ireland responds to Cllr.’s “Open Season on Hen Harrier” remarks
Peregrine falcons shot in Co. Tipperary
Peregrine falcons nesting in south Tipperary have been deliberately shot in a spate of attacks over recent weeks according to a report from Bridwatch Ireland.The birds, two of which died and one which sustained permanent injury, are believed to have been shot in three separate incidents.The body of an adult female (pictured) was found by bird of prey expert Kevin … [Read more...] about Peregrine falcons shot in Co. Tipperary
White-tailed Eagles Found Dead in Co. Cork and Co. Kerry
Reports today have confirmed that a white-tailed eagles found dead in Co. Cork in January was illegally poisoned.The body of the female bird, released in Killarney National Park in 2010 as part of an official reintroduction project, was discovered washed up on the seashore at Glengariff in West Cork on the 18 January. Test results released today confirm the cause of death … [Read more...] about White-tailed Eagles Found Dead in Co. Cork and Co. Kerry
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
Sparrowhawk: the “Ronseal” of Irish birds!
Living and working in the country is often quite tranquil, but this morning the calm was shattered when this male sparrowhawk dropped in for an impromptu visit. Suddenly the background harmony of birdsong was replaced by a cacophony of anxious alarm calls as blackbirds, swallows, house sparrows, chaffinches and tits all screamed their warnings. Trouble had arrived! I glanced … [Read more...] about Sparrowhawk: the “Ronseal” of Irish birds!
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
Red kites found poisoned in Lusk
Three red kites have been found dead near Lusk in North County Dublin today. Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Mr Jimmy Deenihan, expressed his “disgust” on hearing that illegal poisoning was suspected to be the cause of death. The birds were among a total of 39 young red kites released in North Dublin earlier this year. While a full post mortem of the birds has … [Read more...] about Red kites found poisoned in Lusk
Shocking “live bait” poisoning of buzzards in Rosscrea
The appalling practice of poisoning birds of prey in rural Ireland continues, and took an even more sinister twist recently according to last week’s Birdwatch Ireland eWings newsletter. Ireland’s largest conservation NGO revealed that volunteers monitoring buzzards near the Offaly / Tipparary border found live pigeons laced with poison and staked out specifically to target … [Read more...] about Shocking “live bait” poisoning of buzzards in Rosscrea
Gobsmacking goshawk manoeuvrability put to the test
There’s some amazing footage of wildlife available online… some of it truly jaw dropping. This BBC footage from the woodland edition of “The Animal’s Guide to Britain” falls into that category.It shows the staggering manoeuvrability of a stunning northern goshawk. No wonder these birds are supreme woodland hunters when they can move like this.According information … [Read more...] about Gobsmacking goshawk manoeuvrability put to the test
Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
The languid flight of the hen harrier, gliding with wings held in its characteristic shallow V, has become a rare sight in Ireland. Historically one of our most persecuted birds of prey, the hen harrier's habit of taking free-range domestic fowl (which led to the bird's common name) did little to endear it to poultry keepers, and many were shot. Hen harriers also fell foul of … [Read more...] about Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
