Minister insists 'action must be taken' to arrest decline of breeding hen harriers in Northern Ireland

 

Andrew Muir: 'I am concerned by decline'

"THE restoration of nesting and foraging habitats is essential if we are to reverse the decline of one of Northern Ireland's rarest birds of prey - the hen harrier."

So says Andrew Muir, who is NI's minister at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

His comment comes in the wake of a report indicating  that this spectacular bird of prey, has declined by more than 26 per cent since 2016.

Says Mr Muir: "I am concerned that pairs have decreased from 46 to 34.

"Factors in the decline of this raptor have been well documented and include the loss of suitable breeding habitats, habitat degradation, the climate, predation and wildfires.

"Action needs to be taken to stop the decline of this iconic bird, but it can only be achieved through working in partnership with landowners, farmers, non-governmental organisations and others  to restore and enhance breeding habitats and  manage activities which have the potential to cause disturbance and displacement."

Hen Harriers predominately breed in heather moorland and young coniferous forest plantations during their breeding season. 

Their prey includes small birds such as skylarks and meadow pipits. 

The Northern Ireland decline  mirrors a decline of 33 per cent in the Republic of Ireland between 2015 and 2022.