The restoration of nesting and foraging habitats is crucial if we’re to reverse the decline of one among our rarest birds of prey, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has warned.
His feedback come after a brand new DAERA part-funded survey reveals the Hen Harrier, a precedence species in Northern Ireland, has declined by greater than 26 per cent since 2016.
Minister Muir mentioned: “I’m involved with the findings from the 2023 UK Hen Harrier survey that now we have a declining inhabitants in Northern Ireland with a lower from 46 pairs to 34 pairs, for the reason that final nationwide census in 2016. Factors within the decline of this raptor have been nicely documented and embrace the lack of appropriate breeding habitats, habitat degradation, the local weather, predation and wildfires.
“Action needs to be taken to stop the decline of this iconic bird, but it can only be achieved through working in partnership with landowners, farmers, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and all other stakeholders, to restore and enhance breeding habitats and appropriately manage activities which have the potential to cause disturbance and displacement.”
Hen Harriers predominately breed in heather moorland and young coniferous forest plantations throughout their breeding season. Their prey contains small chicken species reminiscent of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. The Northern Ireland decline almost mirrors a decline of 1 third (33 %) within the Republic of Ireland Hen Harrier inhabitants from 2015 to 2022.
DAERA has listed the species as one among principal significance for the aim of conserving biodiversity right here and has designated two Special Protection Areas (SPAs) beneath the EU Birds Directive to guard the Hen Harrier throughout its breeding season.
Minister Muir mentioned he recognised the essential work of the UK-wide survey which was organised by the RSPB at a nationwide degree and domestically by the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group (NIRSG).
“While the overall picture is not encouraging, I am pleased the survey showed that the number of Hen Harriers within the two designated Special Protection Areas, approximately half of the population, remained relatively stable since the 2016 census,” the Minister continued.
“My thanks go to all of the voluntary fieldworkers and employees from NIRSG, RSPB, NIEA and different organisations, who took half within the survey in order that we had wonderful protection of the Hen Harrier breeding vary in Northern Ireland.
“I’m happy to be taught that the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group has convened a Hen Harrier Working group which is able to now think about measures to deal with the pressures, actions and threats recognized through the survey.
“The pressures, activities and threats you identified during the survey will now be considered by Hen Harrier Working Group which will work to protect, preserve and enhance the population status of the Hen Harrier and all associated flora and fauna,” Minister Muir concluded.
Notes to editors:
- The survey outcomes point out that the UK inhabitants of Hen Harriers elevated between the nationwide censuses of 2016 and 2023. The Northern Ireland inhabitants was the one one to indicate a decline.
- The UK survey was organised by the RSPB, with the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group (NIRSG) organising it in Northern Ireland.
- The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is among the largest nature conservation charities within the UK.
- The Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group is a community of voluntary raptor fieldworkers who monitor and file the fortunes of birds of prey throughout Northern Ireland.
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