The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is currently investigating circumstances surrounding the death of a hen harrier in Co Meath. The bird of prey, which is a protected species under the Wildlife Acts 1976-2012, is reported as having died from poisoning near Drumconrath.

A NPWS statement said: “Evidence gathered at the scene included meat baits which had been treated with a toxic substance. The NPWS believes that other fatalities may have occurred and is concerned that other animals may be at risk particularly around the area of Lough Bracken.”

The results of these studies would yield important information on the bird’s ecology to help conservation managers hone measures to protect this

The statement added: “The activity has major implications for important scientific studies being carried out by the NPWS. The hen harrier was among birds being tracked by ornithologists by way of a small satellite tracking device. The results of these studies would yield important information on the bird’s ecology to help conservation managers hone measures to protect this and other vulnerable species.”

The NPWS is appealing for information relating to the incident and is asking members of the public to report any suspicious activity to them and the local gardaí in the area.

Curlew seasonal contracts

The curlew conservation programme administered by the NPWS is tendering for several positions on curlew action teams (CATs). The CATs work with local communities and landowners to assist in progressing curlew breeding efforts. It lists positions available as a curlew advisory officer, curlew champion, nest protection officer and CATs assistant.

Full details are available on www.npws.ie.

The curlew conservation programme, which was established in 2017, will progress in 2020 to a partnership between the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine.

The NPWS reports that at the time of establishing the CATs, less than 150 pairs were present in Ireland, which represents a reduction of 96% since 1990 and a very real threat of the curlew breeding species becoming extinct.