The fifth survey of Ireland’s Hen Harriers, performed in 2022 and now revealed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), reveals stunning declines within the inhabitants of this iconic fowl of prey.
Only 85 confirmed pairs of Hen Harrier have been recorded all through the nation, translating to probably the most extreme decline of any nationwide survey up to now.
Hen Harrier continues to endure stunning declines in Ireland (Ian Bollen).
The survey was undertaken by a partnership of the Golden Eagle Trust, Irish Raptor Study Group and BirdWatch Ireland on behalf of NPWS. Similar to earlier surveys, the 2022 nationwide survey acquired enthusiastic help from a considerable community of voluntary surveyors together with birders, farmers, wildlife rangers, foresters and biologists with greater than 250 fieldworkers dedicating 7,700 hours to the survey.
Despite these collective efforts, the Hen Harrier has been pushed nearer to the brink of extinction. The present nationwide inhabitants estimate of 85-106 breeding pairs in 2022 represents a decline of a 3rd because the 2015 survey, which recorded 108-157 pairs – itself a 27% contraction on the survey earlier than that.
In whole, the species has declined by 59% because the first nationwide survey in 1998-2000. At the present charge of decline, inhabitants extinction may very well be anticipated inside 25 years and there may very well be fewer than 50 breeding pairs remaining inside the subsequent decade.
Special Protected Areas failing Hen Harrier
In 2007, as a requirement underneath the EU Birds Directive, Ireland designated six websites in upland areas as Special Protected Areas (SPAs), primarily based on their nationwide significance for breeding Hen Harriers at the moment. The 2022 survey revealed that harrier populations in 5 of those SPAs have declined by between 20% and 80% since then. Overall, the SPA populations have declined by greater than half (54%) in the identical interval.
John Lusby, Raptor Conservation Officer at BirdWatch Ireland, who co-ordinated the survey alongside undertaking companions, mentioned: “We have reached disaster level at this stage, the scenario couldn’t be extra critical, and we have to act accordingly if we’re to face any probability of making certain Hen Harriers do not turn out to be extinct inside our lifetimes.
“Hen Harrier is among the best-studied fowl species in Ireland. We know the principle explanation why their populations have declined to such low ranges, which has been primarily pushed by land-use modifications ensuing within the lack of habitat for Hen Harrier in our uplands, as a result of afforestation on vital habitats for Hen Harrier and different wildlife inside and outdoors the Special Protection Area community, in addition to related disturbances from forest administration actions and different pressures together with wind vitality developments. These pressures together have affected the integrity of our uplands, that are a few of our most vital areas for biodiversity and we are actually seeing the very actual results of poor spatial planning and administration of our uplands on Hen Harrier populations.”
Oonagh Duggan, Head of Advocacy with BirdWatch Ireland, commented: “We know what must be executed to avoid wasting this species. Government is aware of what must be executed however it’s not performing. Government just lately issued a draft Threat Response Plan for Hen Harrier for public session which was 10 years within the making. During this time the species declined by a 3rd. It has obscure actions and is missing ambition. It is simply not adequate. This is a litmus check for presidency and its new National Biodiversity Action Plan which has an goal to halt the deterioration of 30% of species with unfavourable standing by 2030.
“We can be launching a marketing campaign quickly in order that members of the general public can provide help to avoid wasting the skydancing Hen Harrier from extinction. All nationwide Hen Harrier breeding and wintering websites have to be shielded from afforestation, forest administration actions and wind vitality improvement. Habitat restoration for these vital areas can be vital and we’d like long-term and well-funded agri-environment scheme to help farmers for his or her conservation efforts.”
