Birdwatch Ireland Meath

The Oxford dictionary describes the meaning of Heritage as
things of special architectural, historical, or natural value that are preserved for the nation.' Yet if we are to look at the proposals, put forward in the most recent Heritage Bill by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys it appears our Yellowhammers are not of natural value to our nation anymore. Indeed neither are our pollinators, bats, butterflies and mammals. This is the only conclusion one could possibly reason for naming such a destructive bill after this term.

The Heritage Bill 2016 will propose extensions to the dates for hedgecutting and burning in the uplands. If these changes go through they will have wide implications for some of our most endangered wildlife. See Birdwatch Irelands full statement on the proposal.

More worryingly Birdwatch Ireland have already noted in relation to the bills proposed changes that, 'No scientific rationale has been presented in …

Taking a short break from work on a conservation project a few years ago, I sat with some of my co-workers to take in the sights and sounds of the unique environment we were in.
That unique environment was a small Island on the Shannon Callows, just outside Banaghar, Co. Offaly.
The Island is a wildlife refuge for the Callows resident and immigrant wetland birds every Spring. Some of Irelands most endangered wetland birds, Curlew, Lapwing and Red Shank nest here.
These red-listed birds have been dramatically affected by Irelands changing climate, habitat loss and farming practices.
With many of these birds in drastic decline Birdwatch Ireland took the decision to permanently ring fence the Island with a predator proof fence. The fence, it was hoped, would offer some protection to the many chicks, of these wetland birds, from their natural predators and in turn help stop their decreasing numbers.
The fence is one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe and has proved to be a big succes…