Residents hope hen harriers will save the day
The Heritage Service are expected to rule out developments such as wind turbines, afforestation, and re-seeding on thousands of acres of hill land in Munster, to help preserve the hen harrier.
But within yards of where the Bottlehill birds nest, a 250-acre landfill refuse dump is proposed. Local residents who oppose the dump now hope that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Bord Pleanala will move to protect these rare birds from an estimated 150 lorries of rubbish a day entering the site, where up to 30 bulldozers and excavators will move some 300,000 tonnes of waste per year.
Although chosen in June 2000 by Cork County Council as their most suitable super dump site, Bottlehill must yet pass EPA and Bord Pleanala hurdles.
Hundreds of local farmers who oppose the dump site will closely watch the outcome. Within five miles, there are 590 farms, including 188 dairy farms, averaging 50,820 gallons and 44 cows per farm.
Already, a number of planning applications for wind farms are on hold in the North Munster uplands because planners fear they would endanger hen harriers.
Constructions such as wind farms, especially if they incorporate guy wires or cables, pose a danger to birds such as hen harriers, merlin, whoopper swan, golden plover and white-fronted goose.
Dúchas has issued guidelines to local authorities on the siting of windfarms near hen harrier nesting areas.
