Hen Harriers on the increase – and farmers are getting their money too

FARMERS participating in the Hen Harrier protection project – including 250 in the South Galway area – have been lauded this week by Agriculture Minister, Michael Creed, after the release of positive figures on bird numbers in the designated areas.

Last week, the Hen Harrier Project team, confirmed that 81 Hen Harrier chicks had fledged this year – a 35% increase in the numbers as compared to 2017 when the latest protection programme was put in place.

“The considerable investment by the Dept. of Agriculture – and particularly the actions of the 1,524 participating farmers – have contributed to this achievement,” said Minister Michael Creed.

He said that nationally the participating farmers managed over 37,000 hectares (over 91,000 acres) across six protected areas for the Hen Harrier, making a huge contribution to the biodiversity project.

“Their actions in providing improved quality habitat for the birds have led to an improvement in the breeding success of the Hen Harrier population.

“The overall situation is still critical – and there is no room for complacency – but we are moving in the right direction,” said Minister Creed.

Hen Harrier Project Manager, Fergal Monaghan, said that it had been a very productive year for the Hen Harrier with a total of 81 chicks leaving the next in 2019 – up 35% on the 2017 figure and the highest number since the first survey in 2005.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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