Timing of gorse grazing key to success of conservation trial

Special Protection Area in Co Cork sees increase in number of hen harriers from one breeding pair in 2015 to five pairs of the ground-nesting birds of prey  last year

The hen harrier population in the Mullaghanish-Musheramore Mountains increased to five pairs by 2020. Picture: Mario MacRory/Muddy Boots Guided Walking. 

The timing of sustainable grazing by horses and goats has proved crucial to the success of a gorse management trial conducted as part of the Hen Harrier Project.

Gorse control was identified as an issue by many of the farmers participating in the project, which operates in six special protection areas (SPAs) in counties Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Tipperary, Galway, Clare, Monaghan, Offaly, and Laois.