Latest stats from Birdwatch Ireland present there are solely 85 confirmed pairs of Hen Harrier left on your entire island of Ireland.
This is a decline of one-third in simply seven years for the reason that final nationwide survey.
John Lusby, Conservation Officer, mentioned this morning: “We have reached disaster level. The state of affairs couldn’t be extra severe, and we have to act accordingly if we’re to face any likelihood of guaranteeing Hen Harriers don’t grow to be extinct inside our lifetimes.”
Hen harrier (Photo by: Sven-Erik Arndt/Arterra/Universal Images Group by way of Getty Images)
The latest Birdwatch report gives a stark warning that beneath the present charge of decline, Hen Harriers could also be extinct inside 25 years.
Birdwatch Ireland say that “urgent interventions are needed if we are to stand any chance of saving Ireland’s Skydancer.”
The fifth nationwide survey of Hen Harriers printed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service revealed stunning declines on this iconic chicken of prey of our hills and mountains.
Only 85 confirmed pairs of Hen Harrier have been recorded all through the nation, representing probably the most extreme decline of any nationwide survey thus far.
The Hen Harrier is now on the fringe of extinction. The present nationwide inhabitants estimate of 85-106 breeding pairs represents a decline of one-third within the whole inhabitants for the reason that 2015 survey.
Eight years in the past, 108-157 pairs have been recorded which confirmed a 27pc contraction of their breeding vary for a similar earlier interval.
Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) (Photo by: Sven-Erik Arndt/Arterra/Universal Images Group by way of Getty Images)
Hen Harrier numbers have declined by a stunning 59pc for the reason that first nationwide survey in 1998-2000.
At the present charge of decline, there could possibly be fewer than 50 breeding pairs of Hen Harrier remaining throughout the subsequent 10 years.
In 2007, as a requirement beneath the EU Birds Directive, Ireland designated six websites as Special Protected Areas (SPAs), primarily based on their significance for breeding Hen Harriers at the moment.
The latest survey revealed that Hen Harrier populations in 5 of those SPAs have declined by between 20pc and 80pc since 2007, once they have been recognized for designation.
Beautiful chicken of prey faces extinction
Overall, the SPA populations have declined by greater than half (54 laptop) in the identical interval.
“Hen Harriers are one of the best studied bird species in Ireland,” Mr Lusby mentioned.
“We know the primary the 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 in our uplands, resulting from afforestation on vital habitats for Hen Harrier and different wildlife inside and out of doors 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 at the moment are 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 needs to be done to save this species. Government knows what needs to be done but it is not acting.
“Government recently issued a draft Threat Response Plan for Hen Harrier for public consultation which was ten years in the making. During this time the species declined by a third.
“It has vague actions and is lacking ambition. It is just not good enough. This is a litmus test for government and its new National Biodiversity Action Plan which has an objective to halt the deterioration of 30pc of species with unfavourable status by 2030.
“We will be launching a campaign soon so that members of the public can offer support to save the skydancing Hen Harrier from extinction. All national Hen Harrier breeding and wintering sites must be protected from afforestation, forest management activities and wind energy development.
“Habitat restoration for these important areas is also critical and we need long-term and well-funded agri-environment scheme to support farmers for their conservation efforts”.
Conservationists mentioned as we speak they’re “dismayed” by the report.
