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
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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)
