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Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan a failed opportunity – Environmental Pillar, BirdWatch Ireland & An Taisce

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Plan is vague and lacking in detail and ambition

The Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan launched today 10th September is a failed opportunity to urgently put in place the necessary measures to prevent the extinction of this iconic bird of prey species, according to the Environmental Pillar, BirdWatch Ireland and An Taisce. 

This plan has been in the works for over a decade, during which time Ireland’s Hen Harrier population has declined by one third. However, despite the years of work that went into developing this plan, it is sorely lacking in ambition and in targeted actions to set the species on the way to recovery. It will not, in our opinion, meet the legal requirement nor press pause on the losses of the Hen Harrier, never mind restore its population. The plan sets out actions which are vague and lacking in detail, without defined targets or measurable timelines for delivery.

The new plan does not address the shortcomings which the Environmental Pillar, BirdWatch Ireland and An Taisce highlighted in the draft plan. It is particularly concerning that the plan has not improved, despite a massive response from the Irish public calling for an ambitious plan through the national public consultation. Over 2,400 submissions from members of the public called for a strong and effective plan to save the Hen Harrier. 

The plan fails to define targets at a national or population level that will ensure that Ireland’s Hen Harrier population is restored to levels that ensure its survival into the future (i.e., favourable conservation status). In effect it is a road map without a clear destination.

The loss of habitat for nesting and foraging, and other pressures associated with the afforestation of our uplands is known to be one of the main threats to Hen Harriers. Although the plan recognises this, it unfortunately fails to set out clear targets or a mechanism for restoration of habitats needed for the recovery of the species; without these, it is difficult to have faith that the plan will deliver any meaningful change for Hen Harriers and upland biodiversity.  

As the largest landowner in the Special Protection Areas that are designated for the protection of the Hen Harrier, Coillte has a golden opportunity to be a champion for these amazing birds by committing to ceasing reforestation of its plantations and restoring its afforested peatlands. But after 10 years of round-table discussion led by government, there is no detail in the Plan whatsoever on these critical actions which would deliver significant benefits to the Hen Harrier and other wildlife, water quality and climate; and also on the State’s obligations to the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan, the Climate Action Plan and the National Land Use Review.

Fintan Kelly, Agriculture and Land Use Policy and Advocacy Officer with the Environmental Pillar, said: “While there are some potentially positive developments in the new plan, overall our hopes that the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan would finally commit to necessary, urgent and decisive actions to deliver on the legal requirement of the Threat Response Plan to halt and reverse the known threats and pressures faced by the Hen Harrier have been dashed. It is impossible for us to support the plan, as many actions in their current form are too vague and not targeted enough to ensure real change, change that is urgently needed.” 

John Lusby, Raptor Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland, said: “The Hen Harrier is the canary in the coalmine for our upland ecosystems, and it is incredibly sad to think that many of our uplands can no longer sustain Hen Harrier populations. These are supposed to be some of our wildest and most important areas for biodiversity but clearly this is not the case, due to the loss of heath, blanket bog and grassland habitats and the associated declines of species like Curlew and Skylark, among others. We have been on record to say that the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan would be a litmus test for wider nature restoration. Unfortunately, the plan as published does not pass that test and is a missed opportunity for this iconic bird and a disappointing start to plans for nature restoration in Ireland.”

Dr. Elaine McGoff, Environmental Pillar spokesperson and Head of Advocacy with An Taisce, said: “Our role has always been to act as advocates for the best outcomes for the Hen Harrier, its habitats and the farming communities that support them. We remain committed to ensuring that an effective threat response plan is delivered for the Hen Harrier and upland communities and will continue to advocate for the necessary actions to save this iconic bird. The current draft plan and the status of the Hen Harrier and its habitats represents an unacceptable failure by the State, to deliver on both Irish and EU law in respect of the species and its habitats. We will not allow the Government to quietly quit on this incredible bird species.”

In order to restore Ireland’s Hen Harrier population, we believe any plan must:

  1. Protect all nationally important Hen Harrier breeding and wintering grounds from afforestation, forest management activities, wind energy development and other pressures.
  2. Restore habitat across all nationally important breeding and wintering sites using clear restoration targets and timelines.
  3. Guarantee long-term support for farmers through well-funded results-based schemes across all nationally important breeding and wintering grounds.

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Media Contacts: Ciaran Brennan, Communications Officer, Environmental Pillar ciaran@ien.ie Tel: 086-0496518

Photos of Hen Harriers for use in connection with this story (must be credited in the format “Photographer Name / BirdWatch Ireland”):

Notes: Link to the submission of the Environmental Pillar, BirdWatch Ireland and An Taisce to the draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan public consultation: https://birdwatchireland.ie/app/uploads/2024/02/Joint-NGO_Public-Consultation-Response-to-the-Draft-HHTRP-Feb-2024.pdf

 

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Photo: Richard T Mills