We’re for the birds — project to protect hen harriers

Yvonne O’Brien and Justin Moran of Wind Energy Ireland look at an innovative research project seeking to build   a more accurate understanding of wind farm effects on the hen harrier      

A striking image of an adult female hen harrier. The  SEAI-funded project, RE:HARRIER, is bringing together researchers, academics and environmentalists to work with the wind energy industry to protect this endangered bird.  Photo: Mark Hamblin

As the iconic Irish hen harrier edges closer to extinction an innovative SEAI-funded project, RE:HARRIER, is bringing together researchers, academics and environmentalists to work with the wind energy industry to find solutions.

In recent years wind farms have increasingly, and successfully, been designed to accommodate local hen harrier populations.