'Hen harrier could be extinct in Ireland in 25 years'

Hen harrier numbers overall have declined by 59% in lreland since the first national survey in 1998-2000

The hen harrier could be extinct in the Republic of Ireland within 25 years, wildlife experts have warned.

Numbers of the bird of prey have declined by a third, according to the fifth national survey, undertaken in 2022.

The survey was carried out by the Golden Eagle Trust, Irish Raptor Study Group and BirdWatch Ireland.

It found just 85-106 pairs, compared to 108-157 in 2015.

The survey did not include Northern Ireland, where the raptor is also recording a steady decline due to habitat destruction and wildlife crime.

In 2022, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds warned that crime against birds of prey in Northern Ireland was going undetected and under-reported.

Just one incident was confirmed in 2021, when the total for the whole of the UK was 108.

The skydancer

The hen harrier is known for its spectacular aerial courtship displays, which have earned it the nickname of 'skydancer'.

It breeds in open upland habitats, nesting in scrub, heather and woodland.

Oonagh Duggan from BirdWatch Ireland, said that the Irish government wasn't doing enough to protect the species.

"Government recently issued a draft threat response plan for Hen Harrier for public consultation, which was 10 years in the making," she said.

"During this time the species declined by a third.

"It has vague actions and is lacking ambition. It is just not good enough."

In England, a national trial to rebuild the hen harrier population hit a key milestone in 2022 by releasing its highest number of chicks into the wild

She said this would be "a litmus test" for government in the Republic of Ireland, and its new National Biodiversity Action Plan, which has an objective to halt the deterioration of 30% of species with unfavourable status by 2030.

Protection of sites

Ms Duggan added that breeding and wintering sites must be protected with a "long-term and well-funded agri-environment scheme to support farmers for their conservation efforts".

Six sites in upland areas of the Republic of Ireland were designated as Special Protected Areas in 2007, because of their importance for breeding hen harriers at the time.

But since then, numbers at five of the sites have declined by 20% to 80%.

The Irish Raptor Study Group said it appeared many areas that were once strongholds for the species were "functionally extinct" and they were "dismayed" by the findings of the survey.

Hen harrier numbers overall have declined by 59% in lreland since the first national survey in 1998-2000.