Hen-harrier numbers down 33.5%

Ireland’s hen-harrier population has declined by 33.5% since 2000, and this is likely to be down to several factors, including tree-felling, windfams, and turf-cutting. The hen harrier is one of our rarest birds.

The survey was carried out jointly by the Golden Eagle Trust, Irish Raptor Study Group (IRSG), and BirdWatch Ireland.

Carried out on behalf of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the survey concluded there could be as few as 108 breeding pairs left.