Latest news with #HenHarrier
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Hen harriers ‘killed off' in record numbers
Hen harriers have been killed or gone missing under suspicious circumstances in record numbers in the past five years, the RSPB has warned. The protected bird species is one of the rarest in the UK, known for their acrobatic 'skydancing' courtship displays over the uplands, such as Forest of Bowland in Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales. They are considered to be at high risk of extinction because of low breeding population levels following declines as a result of human persecution. Between 2020 and 2024, there were 102 incidents of killing or missing birds recorded, according to a report from the RSPB released on Thursday. The majority of these incidents occurred on or near grouse moors in northern England, where grouse shooting takes place. The charity is calling on the Government to introduce licensing of grouse shooting in England, as has happened in Scotland, to act as a meaningful deterrent to wildlife crime. It comes ahead of a parliamentary debate on Monday over the future of grouse shooting, triggered by a petition launched by the campaign group Wild Justice that gained more than 100,000 signatures. Over the past 25 years, conservationists rolled out several initiatives to support the endangered species and the population increased between 2016 and 2023. But 2023 became the worst recorded year for persecution, with 34 birds confirmed to have been killed or disappeared under suspicious circumstances, according to the RSPB. There was a 43 per cent decline in the number of chicks fledging last year when compared with 2023 figures, the report said. The number of breeding females recorded also dropped from 50 in 2023 to 34 last year – a 32 per cent fall. The charity said the current UK population estimate represented a quarter of the potential population that their ideal habitat could support, and in England it is less – at about 10 per cent. Despite the birds being legally protected, multiple studies and reports have found that criminal activity is the main factor limiting the species' recovery. The RSPB report contains details of hen harriers being shot, their chicks being stamped on and one bird having its head pulled off while still alive. It also includes 112 satellite-tagged birds disappearing on or near grouse moors between 2010 and 2024. No one in England has ever been convicted of an offence against hen harriers, the RSPB said, adding that most crimes take place in remote areas where such activity is hard to detect and the criminal burden of proof against the perpetrators is difficult to secure. 'Criminal activity' Dr James Robinson, the RSPB's director of operations, said: 'This species will not recover until the criminal activity stops, and for this to happen we need regulation of the grouse shooting industry, specifically the introduction of a licensing system for shoots in England, so estates proven by the police and Natural England to be linked to raptor persecution would simply lose their licence to operate.' Another recent study, which investigated the illegal killing of hen harriers in association with gamebird management, showed that the survival rates of the birds in the UK are 'unusually low'. The birds live for an average of 121 days after leaving the nest, while persecution accounts for 27-41 per cent of deaths of those aged under one year and 75 per cent of deaths in birds aged between one and two years, the study found. It also highlighted a strong overlap between hen harrier mortality and the extent of grouse moors. Scotland's Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act, passed last year, requires all grouse shoots in the country to have a licence to operate, which can be revoked if evidence suggests a crime has been committed. Licensing is based on evidence to a civil burden of proof, meaning that it is also easier to take action when persecution has taken place.
Irish Post
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Post
Wildfire ‘tears through' Northern Irish conservation site
AN ONGOING wildfire which has been burning since the weekend has 'torn through' a Northern Irish conservation site. A third of Slieve Beagh, which straddles counties Monaghan, Fermanagh and Tyrone, is estimated to have been damaged since the fire took hold, according to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Northern Ireland's Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir said the fire is 'another stark reminder on how quickly they can spread, creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage'. He added: 'The fire in Counties Tyrone and Monaghan has torn through approximately a third of a precious protected site which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as important blanket bog habitat. A wildfire has ripped through Slieve Beagh in Co. Tyrone 'With the current conditions set to last [in the days ahead] I plead with everyone to heed the elevated hazard warning issued, remain extra vigilant to fires in our countryside and report to the Police or Crimestoppers anyone you know involved in deliberate and malicious fires. 'Once ignited, fire can spread rapidly, especially in areas with dead grasses, gorse, forestry and heather. 'Large areas can become engulfed in a very short period of time putting life, property and wildlife at real risk. This activity must stop before someone is killed or injured.' Members of the NIFRS are still tackling the wildfire (Pics: NIFRS) The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has urged the public to remain vigilant as the warm dry weather continues this week. 'With the dry weather set to continue over the next few days we are asking the public to support their Firefighters by staying safe from fire in the countryside,' NIFRS Area Commander Barry Ross said. 'Dealing with wildfires is not only challenging and physically demanding for our Firefighters, it is extremely resource intensive for our Service and partner agencies,' he added. 'If you are enjoying the weather this weekend, please do so responsibly and follow our safety advice.' See More: Northern Ireland, Slieve Beagh, Wildfire
Belfast Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
Two people rescued from NI fire as ongoing gorse blazes stretch emergency crews
Two people were rescued from a house fire in Co Down. The blaze in Downpatrick is believed to have been accidental. It comes as the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service revealed crews are still dealing with the impact of gorse fires. A spokesperson said: 'Firefighters have continued to respond to other incidents across Northern Ireland and attended a well-developed house fire in Downpatrick. "Our regional controls staff provided fire survival guidance to persons trapped in the first floor of the property. "A fire had started in the garage filling the property with smoke. "Crews from Downpatrick, Comber and Ballynahinch arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. "A member of the public acted quickly and managed to get two persons out of the property with a ladder. "The fire is believed to be accidental.' Fire service resources have been stretched due to blazes in the countryside in recent weeks. Hot, dry weather has seen gorse fires spread across Northern Ireland. A blaze near Clogher in Co Tyrone is continuing to burn. NIFRS added: 'Two appliances remain at Ballagh Road in Clogher following the extensive wildfires in the area. The temperature reduced overnight which has helped the situation. Crews will continue to review the area over the next few days. 'We are asking the public to remain vigilant to fires in the countryside, as the dry weather continues. 'If they see fire please dial 999 to ensure NIFRS are aware of the fire.' Officials said the Clogher wildfire has damaged about a third of Slieve Beagh. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said: 'The current fire near Clogher is another stark reminder on how quickly they can spread, creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage. 'The fire in counties Tyrone and Monaghan has torn through approximately a third of a precious protected site which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as important blanket bog habitat. 'With the current conditions set to last into the weekend and beyond I plead with everyone to heed the elevated hazard warning issued, remain extra vigilant to fires in our countryside and report to the police or Crimestoppers anyone you know involved in deliberate and malicious fires.' This article was amended at 4pm on May 10 to state two people had been rescued after further clarification from NIFRS.
Sunday World
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Sunday World
Two people rescued from Down house fire with emergency crews stretched with gorse fires issue
Fire service resources have been stretched due to gorse fires from the recent hot, dry weather. Two people were rescued from a house fire in Co Down. The blaze in Downpatrick is believed to have been accidental. It comes as the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service revealed crews are still dealing with the impact of gorse fires. A spokesperson said: 'Firefighters have continued to respond to other incidents across Northern Ireland and attended a well-developed house fire in Downpatrick. Fire crews attended a blaze in Downpatrick. News in 90 seconds - 10th May 2025 "Our regional controls staff provided fire survival guidance to persons trapped in the first floor of the property. "A fire had started in the garage filling the property with smoke. "Crews from Downpatrick, Comber and Ballynahinch arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. "A member of the public acted quickly and managed to get two persons out of the property with a ladder. "The fire is believed to be accidental.' Fire service resources have been stretched due to blazes in the countryside in recent weeks. Hot, dry weather has seen gorse fires spread across Northern Ireland. A blaze near Clogher in Co Tyrone is continuing to burn. NIFRS added: 'Two appliances remain at Ballagh Road in Clogher following the extensive wildfires in the area. The temperature reduced overnight which has helped the situation. Crews will continue to review the area over the next few days. 'We are asking the public to remain vigilant to fires in the countryside, as the dry weather continues. 'If they see fire please dial 999 to ensure NIFRS are aware of the fire.' Officials said the Clogher wildfire has damaged about a third of Slieve Beagh. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said: 'The current fire near Clogher is another stark reminder on how quickly they can spread, creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage. 'The fire in counties Tyrone and Monaghan has torn through approximately a third of a precious protected site which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as important blanket bog habitat. 'With the current conditions set to last into the weekend and beyond I plead with everyone to heed the elevated hazard warning issued, remain extra vigilant to fires in our countryside and report to the police or Crimestoppers anyone you know involved in deliberate and malicious fires.'
Belfast Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
Man rescued from NI house fire as ongoing gorse blazes stretch emergency crews
A man has been rescued from a house fire in Co Down. The blaze in Downpatrick is believed to have been accidental. It comes as the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service revealed crews are still dealing with the impact of gorse fires. A spokesperson said: 'Firefighters have continued to respond to other incidents across Northern Ireland and attended a well-developed house fire in Downpatrick. 'Our regional controls staff provided fire survival guidance to a man trapped in the first floor of the property. 'A fire had started in the garage filling the property with smoke. 'Crews from Downpatrick, Comber and Ballynahinch arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. 'A member of the public acted quickly and managed to get the man out of the property with a ladder. The fire is believed to be accidental.' Fire service resources have been stretched due to blazes in the countryside in recent weeks. Hot, dry weather has seen gorse fires spread across Northern Ireland. A blaze near Clogher in Co Tyrone is continuing to burn. NIFRS added: 'Two appliances remain at Ballagh Road in Clogher following the extensive wildfires in the area. The temperature reduced overnight which has helped the situation. Crews will continue to review the area over the next few days. 'We are asking the public to remain vigilant to fires in the countryside, as the dry weather continues. 'If they see fire please dial 999 to ensure NIFRS are aware of the fire.' Officials said the Clogher wildfire has damaged about a third of Slieve Beagh. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said: 'The current fire near Clogher is another stark reminder on how quickly they can spread, creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage. 'The fire in counties Tyrone and Monaghan has torn through approximately a third of a precious protected site which includes a Special Area of Conservation for the endangered Hen Harrier during nesting season as well as important blanket bog habitat. 'With the current conditions set to last into the weekend and beyond I plead with everyone to heed the elevated hazard warning issued, remain extra vigilant to fires in our countryside and report to the police or Crimestoppers anyone you know involved in deliberate and malicious fires.'
