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Habitats

Funding for locally led biodiversity projects doubled to €3m

Funding for locally led biodiversity projects doubled to €3m

  • January 25, 2023
  • BiodiversityConservationcountrysideEnvironmentHabitatsRural DevelopmentSustainability
  • 2023 Local Biodiversity Action Fund supports Local Authorities to progress local biodiversity projects
  • Local Authorities can now apply for funding for 2023 projects
  • Funded projects must align to the actions of the National Biodiversity Action Plan

 Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has announced a doubling of funding to the Local Biodiversity Action Fund to €3 million for 2023.  Local Authorities can now apply to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to avail of this funding to deliver local biodiversity projects.

First launched in 2018, the Local Biodiversity Action Fund offers funding to help Local Authorities achieve actions identified in the National Biodiversity Action Plan, recognising the important role they plan in addressing the biodiversity emergency. This funding stream enables the  development of projects that address biodiversity loss in Local Authority areas by helping to create new habitats, restoring existing ones and by tackling invasive alien species.

The scheme, operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has proven hugely popular, with 109 projects funded in 2022. A wide variety of projects were financed including in the areas of Wetland Restoration, Bird Surveys, Dune restoration, Biodiversity Awareness and Invasive Alien Species.

Commenting on the announcement, Minister Noonan said:

“I’m delighted to be able to double the funding for this vital biodiversity funding scheme, which has proven immensely popular with Local Authorities, who have carried out really impactful projects with the funding. We have seen increasing participation in biodiversity and invasive species projects year-on-year, and the benefits of this are shared by all of us, not least local communities. 

Reversing biodiversity loss is among the greatest challenges of our times. Locally-led initiatives can be extremely impactful – supporting them is an important part of the response. Local Authorities play an important role in these efforts. Combined with our announcement last year of the appointment of Biodiversity Officers in the Local Authorities, today’s funding increase will allow the Local Authorities to play an ever more active role in our plans to address biodiversity loss. The State has increased its funding to the NPWS in light of the biodiversity crisis and I’m delighted that we’re able to in turn increase funding to important initiatives such as this.”

 Examples of projects that received funding in 2022 include:

  • A survey of South Dublin County to identify and map the distribution of wetlands in the region and develop a Wetland Inventory Database with GIS map.
  • A survey to establish a detailed picture of the distribution of breeding Swifts in 49 localities across Louth to allow decision-makers to effectively manage for Swifts at site level.
  • A project to implement best practices in the protection and restoration of sand dune habitats designated within Natura 2000 sites in County Kerry.
  • Low Carbon Town: a project in Laois that aims to plant three small, dense native woodland habitats on school campuses and another at Laois Education Centre as an educational resource for teachers as part of new a Biodiversity Demonstration site
  • A Quagga Mussel project which saw 9 Local Authorities alongside a team from UCD to improve our understanding of the ecology of this new invasive species in Ireland


ENDS

The National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021 and its’ Interim Review are available at https://www.npws.ie/legislation/national-biodiversity-plan

 

January 25, 2023

Glenveagh National Park Brings the Curriculum Alive for Irish Teachers

Glenveagh National Park Brings the Curriculum Alive for Irish Teachers

  • August 12, 2022
  • BiodiversityEnvironmentHabitatsSustainabilitywildlife management

As part of its education and awareness remit, the team of staff at Glenveagh National Park in Donegal have resumed the popular summer teachers course ‘Learning Through The Landscape’, which has welcomed 20 participants from all over the country.

The purpose of the week long course, which started back in 2015, is to help teachers learn more about nature and to be inspired to bring more outdoor learning into their practice. “The success of nature conservation work begins with winning the hearts and minds of people – and there’s no better place to start than schools and teachers”, explains Clare Bromley, Head of Education and Learning at Glenveagh.

The course takes the teachers on a hands on learning journey through a range of habitats and showcases how strands in the curriculum can be made more accessible, interactive and engaging for children when taken outside the classroom. Subjects covered include science, maths, geography, art, history and ICT. Its goal is to use the backdrop of the National Park and surrounding Nature Reserves as inspiration for teachers to learn more about Irish Biodiversity. The course is accredited and approved by the Department of Education & Skills as part of its overall CPD programme for teachers each summer and is run in partnership with Donegal Education Centre.

Enjoying the stunning weather this week, the group, led by the team of Education Guides, have explored the importance of woodlands, peatlands and freshwater habitats and the species found in each.  This supports teachers to acquire new knowledge and skills that they can take back to their schools in the year ahead.

Each year Glenveagh works with thousands of school and college students from across the North West, but this popular event remains the highlight of the year, with many teachers keen to share that it is one of the best courses and experiences they have attended.

The participants have had the chance to meet with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Conservation Rangers and also to hear from staff from Inland Fisheries Ireland staff. The course exemplifies the value of strategic partnership working between Departments for the common goal of protecting and raising awareness of nature.

It is hoped that the course will be adapted to run on successive weeks from Summer 2023, given the interest and demand for places.

For more information on the education programme and services in Glenveagh, contact [email protected]

ENDS

August 12, 2022

Corncrake LIFE: new €5.9m EU-funded conservation project aims to deliver a 20% increase in Corncrake population  

Corncrake LIFE: new €5.9m EU-funded conservation project aims to deliver a 20% increase in Corncrake population  

  • March 28, 2022
  • BiodiversityEnvironmentHabitatsRural EconomySustainabilitywildlife management

A new €5.9m EU-funded LIFE project overseen by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage was launched in Gort a Choirce in Co. Donegal last Friday March 25th by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD and Minister of State with responsibility for land use and biodiversity at the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Pippa Hackett TD. The project aims to revive the fortunes of the corncrake and ensure it remains a part of rural landscapes for years to come.

The project team will operate at coastal and island locations in Donegal, Mayo and Galway as well as associated farmland. Over a five-year period, Corncrake LIFE will work collaboratively with farmers and landowners to improve the landscape for the highly endangered bird.  Measures will includes creating and maintaining areas of early and late cover, wildlife friendly mowing of grass, provision of refuge areas during meadow harvesting and incentivising later cutting dates. By the end of the five year project, the aim is to deliver a 20% increase on the 2018 population of Corncrake recorded in Ireland.

Locally-based field officers will provide guidance, direction and support to landowners while community engagement officers will work with stakeholders to establish the corncrake as an asset to the areas it frequents. Knowledge exchange groups and targeted schools programmes will be utilized to highlight the needs of the corncrake and create awareness of its endangerment.

The project is collaborating with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Fota Wildlife Park and will explore innovations such as flushing bars fitted to tractors to scare birds away from mowers, thermal imaging drones to find nests, and passive acoustic monitoring using high-tech microphones in an attempt to help locate the highly elusive birds.

Corncrake is a species listed for special protection under Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive. Once synonymous with the Irish countryside, the population of Corncrake has declined by 85% since the 1970s, with a similar decrease in range, meaning that the species is now effectively confined to Connacht and Donegal, including offshore islands. Supporting Corncrake in these remaining strongholds is critical to the survival of this species in Ireland. Only 188 calling male corncrakes were recorded across Ireland in 2021.

Speaking at the launch Minister Noonan said:

‘The call of the corncrake was once a ubiquitous sound in meadows and grasslands across the island of Ireland. However, rapid changes to farming practices in the 1970’s spelled doom for the bird. The award of this funding demonstrates the ongoing importance of the EU LIFE programme in supporting conservation projects that have a regional or local focus, particularly in rural or peripheral areas. This funding will allow my Department, working in conjunction with stakeholders across Government and the communities in question, to put measures in place to help secure the future of this species, which remains a high conservation priority at a national and European level’. 

Minister Hackett added:

“Given the fact that the Corncrake relies so much on habitats used for agricultural reasons, I am delighted that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is a key partner in the Corncrake LIFE project. My Department’s involvement reflects our increasing awareness that we need a more a cooperative approach to agri-ecology in our landscape. I was delighted to be able to secure additional funding recently for the results-based element of the Corncrake LIFE project.  The use of scorecards to help steer and inform farmers as to what is on their lands is a very practical way of helping to advise farmers how to manage their practices to the benefit of the environment.” 

Dr. John Carey of the National Parks and Wildlife Service who manages the project said:

“The efforts will focus primarily on a combination of habitat creation and restoration, although some new and innovative approaches to corncrake conservation will be explored. The project will be developing knowledge exchange groups with farmers and advisors to share information on how to create and maintain high quality corncrake habitats and ensure that landowners can maximise their potential to receive rewards under the results-based pilot scheme.”

ENDS

Notes 

Corncrake is listed as a protected species on Annex I of the Birds Directive. The Corncrake’s breeding range extend from Ireland to Asiatic Russia in the northern hemisphere. The Corncrake winters in southern and eastern Africa, migrating northwards to arrive on its breeding grounds from early April onwards and departing again in August and September. Due to the large decreases in both numbers and range, it is on the Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland (BoCCI) list.

Corncrakes require managed habitat throughout the breeding season. Corncrakes require the cover of tall vegetation (>20cm) and are strongly associated with meadows which are traditionally harvested once a year in late summer, where they nest and feed. Annual cutting creates a sward with an open structure, which is easy for the birds to move through, but harvesting means they must find alternative cover adjacent to meadows later in the season. Farming therefore plays a key role in the establishment, maintenance and conservation of Corncrake habitat.

For more information on the project you can contact [email protected] or following them on Twitter @CorncrakeLIFE

March 28, 2022

Heather cutting on the Knockmealdown Mountains

Heather cutting on the Knockmealdown Mountains

  • March 23, 2022
  • BiodiversityConservationcountrysideHabitatsUncategorizedwildlife management

IFA Countryside were recently invited by ABGN Gun Club as they carried out vital conservation work on the glorious Knockmealdown mountains.  Also invited was Senator Garrett Ahearn.  AGBN raised concerns with Senator Ahearn about the ability to burn heather.

AGBN demonstrated how they manage the heather for one of our iconic game birds; the Irish Red grouse. In ideal conditions, strips of 10 metres wide and 100 metres long would be burned in a controlled manner before the deadline of 1st March.  Burning the heather provides a balance of both young and old heather which is essential for its survival.   Grouse feed mainly on heather.  The heather needs to be healthy and vibrant.  An ideal crop would have several stages of growth in any given area.

ABGN had been using controlled burning of the heather since 2004 but in the last number of years, adverse weather conditions involving heavy rainfall meant that this was not possible.  The Gun Club were adamant that this vital conservation work should continue so they found another method of controlling the heather.  They purchased a mulching head which is attached onto a hymac thus allowing mowing to take place even in adverse weather.

ABGN Gun Club had previously raised concerns with Senator Ahearn about extending the burning dates to allow them to burn the heather. They invited the Senator out to witness first hand their conservation efforts and the value of heather management. 

Many thanks to all members of ABGN Gun Club on their fantastic work in stabilising and indeed increasing grouse numbers on the Knockmealdown mountains.  Long may it continue.

March 23, 2022

New Website Launched on Rare Breeds and Conservation Grazing

New Website Launched on Rare Breeds and Conservation Grazing

  • March 8, 2022
  • BiodiversitycountrysideEcologyEnvironmentHabitatswildlife management

The Irish Native Rare Breeds Society has produced a new website focussing on conservation grazing, with financial support from the National Parks & Wildlife Service. This website has just been launched: https://inrbs.ie

Conservation grazing is a tool that can be used to help achieve sustainable farming practices. In Ireland the use of indigenous traditional breeds are being promoted for the conservation grazing of natural and semi-natural habitats particularly in sensitive areas such as coastal areas and uplands.

John Brennan, Chairman of the Irish Native Rare Breed Society, launching the website said:

“The Irish Native Rare Breed Society (INRBS) is a society dedicated to the promotion of indigenous breeds of domesticated livestock. The society aims to facilitate cooperation between individual breed societies and others who are interested in the breeds for their own sake and those who see a use for the breeds in farming and areas such as land management. The society was originally The Irish Rare Breeds Society (IRBS) and has been in existence since the 1990’s. The INRBS was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in 2019 as The Irish Rare Breed Society and following a vote at the 2019 AGM the name was changed to The Irish Native Rare Breed Society and this name change was put into effect by The Companies Registration Office in 2020. The society structure allows representatives of each of the indigenous breed societies to sit at board level with equal representation for all affiliated societies.”

Dr. Barry O’Donoghue, Head of Agri-Ecology in the National Parks & Wildlife Service said:

“Agriculture is more than just about food production. The Irish word for agriculture, ‘talmhaíocht’, captures its essence eloquently; working with the ground as opposed to simply taking from it. Agriculture is embedded in and wholly reliant on the natural environment. It can and has shaped our landscape and our natural environment. Much of Ireland’s habitats and species are directly dependent on agriculture. And as much a part of this nexus involving farming and ecology are the domesticated animals, bred over centuries to support and deliver, to carry and to pull, to provide and to be provided for. Our support for this website comes from a thirst for knowledge among farmers and researchers and practitioners. I am often asked for recommendations on stocking rates or practices for particular habitats or species. Every situation can vary, but we hope that this website can be a useful reference and resource to at least help. Over time, it is hoped that further information can be added and refined. There is great knowledge to be gained from older generations of farmers especially and we should make a conscious effort as a country to not lose that knowledge, which was built up over generations. It might ultimately hold the key to the future sustainable management of some of our most important areas for biodiversity.”

ENDS

Photo attached: Droimeann grazing in species rich grassland

March 8, 2022

Biodiversity funding for Local Authorities increased to €2.1m

Biodiversity funding for Local Authorities increased to €2.1m

  • December 8, 2021
  • BiodiversityCommunityConservationcountrysideEnvironmentHabitatsRural Developmentwildlife management
  • 2022 Local Biodiversity Action Fund supports locally-led projects that align with actions under National Biodiversity Action Plan
  • It will also support the national rollout of the Biodiversity Officer Programme

Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, today (6th December) announced that the Local Biodiversity Action Fund will receive funding of €1.5 million in 2022 – a 300% increase in funding for this scheme since 2019.

Minister Noonan also announced that €600,000 will be made available next year to support the roll out of a Biodiversity Officer Programme in local authorities around the country.

First launched in 2018, the re-named Local Biodiversity Action Fund offers funding to assist local authorities in the implementation of actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan.

Local authorities play a vital role in addressing the biodiversity emergency. This funding stream enables them to develop projects that address biodiversity loss in their localities by helping to create new habitats, restoring existing ones and by tackling invasive alien species.

The scheme, operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has proved hugely popular, with all 31 local authorities seeking funding in 2021. A wide variety of projects were financed, ranging from the surveying of breeding birds and the creation of pollinator-friendly initiatives, to projects raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity to our wellbeing.

New funding stream for Biodiversity Officers

In recognition of the vital work that local authorities and their staff undertake in tackling the biodiversity crisis, Minister Noonan today also announced that a new funding stream will be made available to progress the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that all local authorities have a dedicated Biodiversity Officer.

Biodiversity Officers are the public face of biodiversity at the local level. They are tasked with supporting the implementation of the NBAP and the delivery of national biodiversity targets, commissioning biodiversity surveys and working with the community on projects to improve the status of biodiversity in the local authority area.

Commenting on the announcement, Minister Noonan said:

“I’m delighted to be able to increase this vital biodiversity funding scheme, which has proved immensely popular with local authorities. They have increased their participation in biodiversity and invasive species projects year-on-year, and the benefits of this are shared by all of us, not least local communities.

 “I’m particularly pleased that the increased funding includes a new stream to extend the Biodiversity Officer programme across the country. In the Programme for Government, we committed to ensuring that all local authorities have a sufficient number of Biodiversity Officers among their staff complement, and I’m looking forward to seeing this grow over the coming years. Reversing biodiversity loss is among the greatest challenges of our times. Locally-led initiatives can be extremely impactful – supporting them is an important part of the response.”

 Minister for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD, said local authorities have a lead role to play in addressing the biodiversity emergency given their connection to the public.

“Local Authorities and their staff are the closest arm of the State to our citizens so it is great to see them supported to lead the charge against biodiversity loss.  Local Authorities experienced great success so far this year rolling out their Biodiversity Projects, so this increased investment will go a long way to boost their efforts.”

 Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD, also welcomed the announcement, stating:

 “My Department is committed to supporting local authorities in the central role they play in the implementation of actions contained in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Local authorities are uniquely positioned, working within their own biodiversity plans and with communities, to help halt biodiversity loss. Biodiversity officers are a key part of this and are crucial to the implementation of actions for biodiversity at local and regional level.”

 Successful projects in 2021 include:

  • Cavan County Council Biodiversity Awareness Project, promoting awareness of biodiversity within the county. Projects include: Cavan County Biodiversity Action Plan, Tidy Towns Pollinator Award, vegetation management plans for historic graveyards and West Cavan Bogs Association Community Mapping Project – Trackways and Trails to the Past.
  • Kilkenny County Council Barn Owl Project carried out surveys which showed that barn owl populations are faring well in the county, after decades of declines.
  • Roscommon County Council Biodiversity Awareness Project 2021 had three strands: 1. Supporting the All Ireland Pollinator Plan, 2. Local Radio Biodiversity Campaigns, 3. Supporting Biodiversity Projects.  The funds enabled RCC to sign up to the All-Ireland Pollinator plan and implement a number of actions therein.
  • Clare County Council implemented ‘The Hare’s Corner’ project, which sought to support landowners in County Clare who wanted to dedicate a small space for nature through creation of a mini-woodland, a mini-orchard or a pond.
  • Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council Hedgerow Survey showed how important hedgerows are to landscape connectivity in the county. The map will feed into their Ecological Network maps for the county which will inform decision makers as part of their County Development Plan. Also, as a result of this project, DLR’s Biodiversity officer will develop guidance on hedgerow protection and management for DLR.  DLR have also developed a hedgerow toolkit for schools as part of the project in order to raise awareness about our hedgerows to teachers and school children.

ENDS

Note to Editors

 An amount of €1.5 million has been made available in 2022 for the NBAP Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme. The funding was made available, in line with a grant application and award process, to biodiversity officers in the counties that have them, and heritage officers. Funding awarded is:

  1. Subject to provision of an agreed level of co-funding from the local authority’s own resources;
  2. spent on a project directly related to one or more actions of the National Biodiversity Action Plan or targeting Invasive Alien Species projects, including species which are included on the on EU IAS list of Union concern;
  3. The project outputs must be reported to the Department before the end of the year.

For further information, queries can be sent to [email protected]

December 8, 2021

Munster Eagles Take Flight!

Munster Eagles Take Flight!

  • August 19, 2021
  • BiodiversityConservationHabitats

A significant milestone has been reached with the re-introduction of White-Tailed (Sea) Eagles to Ireland this month, as twenty one chicks were released into the wild. There was a peaceful, easy feeling among staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage – who have been looking after the eagles since they came to Ireland from Norway on June 25th of this year – as all birds took flight.

The twenty-one Norwegian-born Eagle chicks were released into the wild at the four Munster sites – on the Shannon Estuary, Lough Derg, Waterford and in Killarney National Park. It is hoped they will bolster Ireland’s existing White-Tailed Eagle population.

The chicks have been kept in purpose-built enclosures at the four locations while they grew, matured, and developed the feathers and muscles necessary for flight. They were carefully monitored and tagged by NPWS staff leading the collaborative reintroduction programme, which began in 2007. The satellite tags will allow the project to monitor their progress and their integration into the existing Irish breeding population

The chicks were collected under licence in June from nests throughout the Trondheim area of West-Central Norway by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA). Their release is part of the second phase of the highly successful project to reintroduce this magnificent, iconic bird back to Irish skies.

Once a conspicuous part of Ireland’s landscape, they were driven to extinction by human persecution here in the late Nineteenth Century, a development which the Programme seeks to reverse. Restoring this lost flagship species to Irish skies will be a significant step in restoring Ireland’s natural heritage and will bring great benefit to Irish biodiversity, and in so doing will also contribute significantly to the economic, tourism and local communities – and indeed to human wellbeing. It underlines in practical terms Ireland’s commitment to implementing the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Two Phases

The first Phase ran from 2007-2011, managed by the NPWS and the Golden Eagle Trust, when 100 chicks were released into the wild. Since then, over 35 Irish-born chicks have fledged here, some of whom have begun to rear their own chicks. Indeed, this year one nesting pair on Lough Derg produced three chicks. This is uncommon, even in the very extensive wild populations in Norway.

The project has seen some setbacks alongside its success, and the vulnerability of the population to poisoning, alongside negative impacts due to Avian Influenza in 2018 and Storm Hannah in 2019 prompted the initiation of the Project’s Second Phase.

This Second Phase, managed by NPWS Regional Manager Eamonn Meskell with the advice of Dr. Allan Mee, will secure the substantial gains of the first phase of the Programme and expand the range of the existing population, which has so far nested in sites in Kerry, Cork, Tipperary, Galway, and Clare.

The Second Phase was launched last year, when ten Norwegian-born chicks were flown into Ireland and released into the wild on the Shannon Estuary and Lough Derg. Of these ten, an astonishing nine are still alive, and have travelled throughout the country, with one even travelling to Scotland. The success of last year’s release was thanks to the hard work of NPWS and the input and assistance of other interested parties, including representatives of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and, in particular, local landowners and farmers, without whose enthusiastic support in monitoring nest sites and care of birds the project could not succeed. Farmers are once again being asked to help in any way they can, with small measures such as the removal (or burial) of animals/pests killed by lead shot and also the safe use of Rodenticide.

The recent successes of the Project represent the ongoing cooperation of these different groups who are seeking to restore a lost element of Ireland’s natural heritage.

Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD paid tribute to the collaborative approach. “The success of this project depends on the collaboration of many groups, including our NPWS teams, local farmers, conservationists and communities, the Norwegian Authorities and many other partners in Norway. These iconic birds would not have taken flight this weekend were it not for their collective efforts. I’d like to pay tribute to all involved and acknowledge their commitment to making this project a success, now and in the years to come.”

He continued: “White-tailed eagles are magnificent birds and, as top predators, they also play a key role in the functioning of ecosystems. I was privileged to release six of these stunning creatures last year in Kerry and I can honestly say that watching them soar through the skies on their first Irish flight is a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’d like everyone in Ireland to have the opportunity to observe this once-extinct species in its natural habitat.”

 

Returning this lost flagship species to Irish skies will be a huge step in restoring Irish natural heritage and improving Irish conservation efforts, and will benefit Irish biodiversity more broadly.

The re-establishment of breeding White-tailed Eagles at sites like Lough Derg and Killarney National Park has proven hugely popular with local residents, while the potential for economic benefits from sensitive, sustainable ecotourism was experienced in Mountshannon, Co. Clare, when the first breeding pair nested within sight of the village in 2012, attracting thousands of visitors. In 2020, the live-streaming of a White-tailed Eagle nest in Glengarriff, Co. Cork, proved to be a huge attraction, making the recent BBC list of the top 20 virtual nature attractions in the world.

Last year’s releases also saw considerable attention, sparking interest and widespread support nationally. Last year, Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan, and the acting Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland Arne Follerås, who both played a substantial role in ensuring the project’s success, attended the release on Lough Derg. Minister Noonan has checked in on the latest arrivals a number of times before their release this weekend.

Editor’s notes

  • The Irish White-tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction Programme is a long-term initiative to re-establish a population of this extinct species in the Republic of Ireland managed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Releases of birds (Phase 1) saw 100 young eagles release over five years (2007-2011) in Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry. As Sea Eagles breed at about five years old it was expected that the first Irish nesting attempts would be in 2012/2013.
  • In 2012 the first nesting attempt occurred in Co. Clare, the first breeding in the wild in over 100 years.  In 2013, the first wild-bred chicks fledged successfully from a nest in Co. Clare. However, a scientific review of the reintroduction project indicated the small population is still vulnerable to mortality factors such as illegal poisoning while the breeding population was negatively impacted by Avian Influenza in 2018 and Storm Hannah in 2019. The result was a decision to initiate a Second Phase of the project, which would see about 50 more eagles introduced from Norway to Ireland with the help of Norwegian partners, and would bolster and consolidate the gains of the existing population.
  • Historically, the White-tailed Sea Eagle was once a conspicuous part of the Irish landscape, before it was driven to extinction in the 19th and early 20th century by human persecution.
  • White-tailed Eagles feed primarily on fish and waterbirds, and carrion (dead animals). Thus, most pairs settle on territories around the coast and large freshwater lakes to breed.
  • These birds rely heavily on carrion in the Winter and the first year before they learn to hunt for themselves. Because of this, they are particularly vulnerable to various forms of illness and poison.
  • One of the birds released last year on Lough Derg became very sick from lead poisoning, and was only saved through human intervention and months of careful care and rehabilitation before its re-release into the wild. It was more than likely as a result of eating foxes which had been killed with lead shot and left out in the open. While clearly there was no intention to harm an eagle, this illustrates the potential for accidental poisoning of eagles, so if landowner/farmers are shooting animals – particularly in the coming months – please ensure that corpses are properly disposed of (for example, buried or otherwise hidden from birds of prey), so that the Eagles do not contract lead poisoning from them.
  • Eagles have been affected by Rodenticide poisoning, likely picked up from dead or dying poisoned mammals. There is a comprehensive set of resources on the safe use of Rodenticide produced by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use, available at http://www.crru.ie/
  • Over the past 13 years White-tailed Sea Eagles have dispersed throughout Ireland and beyond. Although most have remained in Ireland, some have been reported from Northern Ireland and at least seven birds have been recorded in Britain.
  • In 2020 at least ten White-tailed Eagle pairs held territory in Ireland across four counties: Kerry (7 pairs), Galway (1), Tipperary (1) and Cork (1).
  • At least nine pairs laid eggs in Kerry (6 pairs), Cork (1), Tipperary (1) and Galway (1).
  •  White-tailed Eagle chicks were collected under licence in Norway by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and transported to Ireland for release in June 2020 and June 2021.
  • Phase II releases began in 2020 with the collection of an additional 10 birds from nest in Norway and their release some 6-8 weeks later in SW Ireland: at Lough Derg, Co. Tipperary and the Shannon Estuary.
  • This year, 23 birds were collected from nests in Norway and have been kept at locations on the Shannon Estuary, Lough Derg, and in Waterford and Killarney National Park.
  • Birds will be tagged, including with satellite tags, before release to allow the project to monitor their progress, collect scientific biological data and follow their integration into the existing Irish breeding population
  • An important aspect of any such releases is cooperation with the farming communities in the release areas and where birds settle to breed. During the first phase of the release project, managed by the NPWS and the Golden Eagle Trust, and during last year’s Phase II re-introduction, a good relationship was established in the release and breeding areas with the farming community, so much so that farmers helped monitor birds and nests at some sites. The Phase II release hopes to build on this relationship into the future to ensure that farming and eagles continue to coexist to their mutual benefit.

August 19, 2021

FIRE DANGER NOTICE

FIRE DANGER NOTICE

  • July 1, 2021
  • BiodiversityDAFMEnvironmentHabitatsRural Developmentwildlife management

BE PREPARED. BE VIGILANT. STAMP OUT FOREST FIRES.
Fire Danger Notice 05 of 2021
Issue date: 29 June 2021 @ 1600hrs
Forest Fire
Danger Rating
Condition Orange – High Fire Risk
Warning Effective From 1200hrs 29/06/2021
Effective Period Expires 1200hrs 05/07/2021

Arising from current dry weather patterns and high temperatures a high fire risk is deemed to
exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as
heather and gorse exist. This risk phase is expected to peak on Friday, July 2nd, 2021.
Higher visitor activity levels at recreational sites can be expected in line with fine weather
and summer holiday usage patterns. Members of the public intending to visit forests and
other recreational sites are reminded to adhere to regulations introduced to limit the spread
of Covid-19. Vehicles must not be parked at site entrances or impede emergency service
access to forest roads. Forest visitors should not use barbeques or open fires at any stage.
Fire behaviour and spread rates are likely to be moderated by higher live fuel moisture levels
in vegetation, but near drought conditions may exist on some site types, particularly on
lowland peat sites and in eastern regions.

Pending significant rainfall, this risk condition will remain in place until 1200hrs on Monday, July
5th, 2021 unless otherwise stated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
BE PREPARED. BE VIGILANT. STAMP OUT FOREST FIRES.

Advice to Forest Owners and Managers
All forest owners and managers are again advised to prepare for likely outbreaks of fire. Fire
lines, Fire Plans, fire suppression equipment should be reviewed and made ready and other
relevant contingencies such as insurance, helicopter contracts etc., checked and confirmed.
The need for increased vigilance at this time cannot be overstated. Forest owners, farmers,
rural dwellers and other countryside users are asked to be extremely vigilant regarding fire
activity, to report any suspicious or illegal activity to the Gardai and to report all fires
immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999.
The Department recommends that forest owners and managers should consider the fire
mitigation measures that they can put in place to help prevent loss or damage to forest
resources through fire. Examples of such measures are:
1. Risk assessment:
Assess your property with regard to fire risk and mitigation factors. Is there a risk of fire or
presence of hazardous fuel vegetation on neighbouring lands? Is there a history of land
burning in the vicinity of your forest? Are access routes adequate, accessible and clear of
obstructions? Is there a firebreak in place and has it been adequately maintained?
2. Prepare:
Fire Plans should be developed for all forests, including a map showing access routes and
assembly points for fire fighting personnel and equipment and potential sources of water.
The plan should also include contact details for the emergency services, local private and
Coillte foresters, neighbouring landowners and forest owners in order to summon help
should the need arise.
Have fire-fighting tools such as beaters and knapsack sprayers to hand and ready to use. If
you do not live in reasonable proximity to your woodland, a local caretaker or forest
neighbour should be employed and should also have a copy of the fire plan with your and all
the above contact numbers.
Clear tracks and roads if available and ensure forest entrances and access routes are not
blocked by parked vehicles or other obstacles, especially where visitors or recreational users
may be present. Suitable signage to this effect should be displayed on gates or barriers.
Firebreaks should be created (if not already in place) by screefing or removing vegetation
mechanically by excavator so that the soil is bare. Fire breaks should be at least 6 metres
wide and should be maintained clear of flammable vegetation.
3. Be Vigilant:
Forest owners should be particularly vigilant during the high risk period. Fire patrols may be
warranted in known fire hotspots. Be particularly vigilant at Bank Holiday weekends where
high risk weather is forecast. Cooperation between neighbouring landowners is critical to
successful fire prevention. Forest owners should discuss their concerns about fire with
neighbouring landowners in advance of the fire season. Providing assistance to farmers
wishing to carry out legal prescribed burning earlier in the season is a useful way of
developing good working relationships with neighbours, as well as ensuring that operations
BE PREPARED. BE VIGILANT. STAMP OUT FOREST FIRES.
are conducted safely during lower risk conditions. Forest owners should cooperate with fire
planning and share the burden of fire patrols and vigilance during high risk periods.
4. Obey the Law:
It is an offence to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing on any land
not then cultivated between 1st March and 31st August in any year. Report all suspicious or
illegal activity to Gardai immediately. Landowners wishing to carry out legally permitted
prescribed burning must notify in writing all forest owners within one mile of the wood, and
the local Garda station, between 7 and 35 days in advance of the burning operation. All
burning operations should be notified to the Fire Service, via the control centre by
telephoning 112/999 BEFORE burning commences. Landowners found burning illegally
could face fines, imprisonment and Single Farm Payment penalties, where applicable.
5. Report Fires Immediately:
If you see a fire, do not delay; report it to the Fire and Emergency Services straight away. Do
not wait for somebody else to make the call. Dial 999 or 112. You will not be billed by the
fire service or local authority for making the call. Give clear details as regards location,
where at all possible using a national grid reference and any other useful information such
as the size of the fire, wind direction, proximity to dwellings or forestry etc. Do not attempt to
tackle fires alone or without adequate training or protective equipment.
6. Report Losses:
If your forest is damaged or destroyed, report this loss as soon as possible to your local
Gardai station and to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown
Castle Estate, Co. Wexford.
Advice to the General Public/Forest Visitors
Members of the public and visitors to recreational areas should cooperate with all requests
regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as
not to impede access by emergency vehicles.
Where fire outbreaks occur at or near recreational areas the following actions should be
taken by visitors in the interests of safety.
1. Do not light fires in and around forests or open land.
2. Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances.
3. Gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car
park, upwind of the fire.
4. Telephone Fire and Rescue Services via 112 and report the fire and its location.
5. Evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all Emergency Service
Instructions.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/01773-fire-management/#fire-danger-notices

July 1, 2021

Launch of Joint Protocol Between National Parks & Wildlife Service & An Garda Síochána on Wildlife Crime

Launch of Joint Protocol Between National Parks & Wildlife Service & An Garda Síochána on Wildlife Crime

  • June 24, 2021
  • BiodiversitycountrysideHabitatsRural Ireland

Launch of Joint Protocol Between National Parks & Wildlife Service & An Garda Síochána on Wildlife Crime

Closer working relationships on the very serious issue of wildlife crime have been established between An Garda Siochána and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

On Wednesday June 23, the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister of State for Heritage & Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD and the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Drew Harris, launched and signed a Protocol between the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and An Garda Síochána (AGS) on tackling wildlife crime. This Protocol was developed to establish closer working relationships between both organisations.

This Protocol came about following the National Biodiversity Conference in Dublin in 2019 as one of the “Seeds for Nature”.  Informal relationships already existed between authorised officers under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 of both NPWS & AGS and this protocol will build on that to provide for enhanced and nationwide working relationships especially in the areas of communications, intelligence sharing and joint operations.

On the launch of the Protocol Minister O’Brien said: “We committed in our programme for government to reviewing the protection of our natural heritage. The Protocol announced here today is an important step towards strengthening that protection. I wholeheartedly welcome it and commend those behind this initiative.”

Heritage Minister Noonan welcomed the signing of this Protocol. “To effectively deal with wildlife crime in this country, robust and strategic cooperation between the NPWS and An Garda Síochána is critically important. This Protocol marks a significant step towards that by progressing the communication channels, information sharing and joint operations that are so urgently needed. There have been a number of devastating wildlife crimes in recent years, including the shooting dead and poisoning of birds of prey, poaching, wild fires and the persecution of badgers, and they need to be tackled head on. This Protocol will go a long way towards achieving that, in tandem with the new Wildlife Crime Unit that is currently being established within the NPWS. I’m delighted to see this important work coming to fruition and would like to thank An Garda Síochána for their engagement and collaboration with NPWS on this issue.”

 

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: “The establishment of the Joint Protocol is another significant step in our ongoing efforts to work closely with all of our stakeholders. I am very aware of the impact that wildlife crime can have on our communities, particularly in rural areas, and the Protocol now provides for each Garda Division to appoint a dedicated Liaison Inspector to work alongside their respective District Conservation Officers in the National Parks and Wildlife Service. I am confident that the signing of the Joint Protocol will facilitate a strategic working relationship, establish clearer lines of communication, intelligence sharing and participation in joint planned operations between An Garda Síochána and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This will help in our ongoing efforts to prevent and detect wildlife crime and thus protect our precious natural diversity.”

ENDS

Note to Editors

“Wildlife Crimes” are offences against laws which protect wild plants, animals and habitats. Amongst the most important of these laws are the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018 and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.  Both the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Minister with responsibility for nature conservation may bring prosecutions for such offences.  The latter is the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is part of the Heritage Division of that Department.  Members of An Garda Síochána (AGS) and authorised officers of the NPWS are empowered to investigate suspected wildlife offences and bring proposals for prosecution.  For this reason, AGS and NPWS have often engaged with one another when investigating wildlife offences.  In the main, such engagement has been informal and conducted at local level.  This new Protocol formalises this relationship and provides for structured co-operation at national, regional and local levels, throughout the State. Not only will this serve to “de-conflict” situations where simultaneous investigations by both organisations might be ongoing (thereby ensuring that “the left hand knows what the right hand is doing”) but it is expected to bring significant synergy to wildlife law enforcement in Ireland.

June 24, 2021

IFA STATEMENT ON FIRE IN KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK

IFA STATEMENT ON FIRE IN KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK

  • April 28, 2021
  • EnvironmentHabitatsRural Irelandwildlife management

The fire in the National Park in Killarney has caused significant damage to wildlife and highlights the dangers of a fire spreading during a prolonged dry spell of weather.

Burning outside of the dates set down in legislation should not happen.

A full investigation should be carried out and those responsible should face the full rigours of the law.

If a farmer’s land is burned outside of season, through no fault of their own, then that farmer risks losing their payments, which is also unfair.

We appeal to everyone – farmers, recreational users and the general public – to be extremely vigilant because of the current weather conditions.

IFA looks forward to being involved in any future discussions on land management with all stakeholders, to avoid an incident happening in the future.

 

April 28, 2021

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