project - EIP-AGRI Operational Group
The Conservation of Breeding Curlew in Ireland
The Conservation of Breeding Curlew in Ireland
Objectives
The project aims to prevent further losses to the Irish Curlew population through the protection and enhancement of known Curlew breeding sites in Ireland, and also to educate and compensate farmers and rural dwellers for creating and managing Curlew habitats.
The following objectives will be perused:
-Trial innovative methods which have so far not been tested in Ireland, on both farmland and bog habitats, to reduce predation and protect and enhance suitable habitat, both at the site and landscape level.
-Establish baselines and targets for breeding success, habitat condition, landowner participation, predator densities and capital works.
Objectives
The project aims to prevent further losses to the Irish Curlew population through the protection and enhancement of known Curlew breeding sites in Ireland, and also to educate and compensate farmers and rural dwellers for creating and managing Curlew habitats.
The following objectives will be perused:
-Trial innovative methods which have so far not been tested in Ireland, on both farmland and bog habitats, to reduce predation and protect and enhance suitable habitat, both at the site and landscape level.
-Establish baselines and targets for breeding success, habitat condition, landowner participation, predator densities and capital works.
Activities
Project activities include:
-Determining Curlew Breeding outcomes by assessing the behaviour of adults and monitoring for the presence of juveniles and fledged young.
-Trialling the use of temporary electric fences at nest sites.
-Training farmers/landowners to undertake direct predator control.
-Direct control of generalist predators at known nest sites.
-Enhancing habitats through capital works.
-Trialling a hybrid agri-environmental scheme combining a results-based approach with some prescriptive elements specifically for Curlew.
-Monitoring the extent to which peat extraction is causing disturbance to nesting habitat by mapping the extent and timing of active turf cutting.
Activities
Project activities include:
-Determining Curlew Breeding outcomes by assessing the behaviour of adults and monitoring for the presence of juveniles and fledged young.
-Trialling the use of temporary electric fences at nest sites.
-Training farmers/landowners to undertake direct predator control.
-Direct control of generalist predators at known nest sites.
-Enhancing habitats through capital works.
-Trialling a hybrid agri-environmental scheme combining a results-based approach with some prescriptive elements specifically for Curlew.
-Monitoring the extent to which peat extraction is causing disturbance to nesting habitat by mapping the extent and timing of active turf cutting.
Context
In Ireland, the Curlew has been identified as a conservation priority in the Government’s Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) and is Red Listed in the Birds of Conservation Concern. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) commissioned a National Breeding Curlew survey in 2015. This study was completed in 2017 and found an estimated >90% population Curlew decline since the 1970s. Habitat loss and degradation is likely to be a key factor in these declines; however, in addition, as with other studies across the breeding range, very low levels of productivity as a result of predation were recorded, with many pairs failing at the nest stage and very few young fledged. It is likely that without significant intervention, Irish breeding Curlew may become extinct in the wider countryside within the next 10 years. Conservation action to prevent this is therefore urgently required.
Additional information
The expected results and practical recommendations from the project are:
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The stabilisation and in the longer term the increase in numbers of breeding pairs of Curlews
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identified in the 2 focus areas, though a cohesive approach by the relevant state agencies needs to
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be established to ensure future population monitoring and management systems are in place to
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provide continuity.
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Training of farmers in new skills of predator control and habitat management. This will be a vital
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asset for rural communities and can be disseminated further in future. The empowerment of
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farmers to see their role in the community as a protector and promoter of biodiversity and their
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ability to supplement their income is a key outcome.
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Best practice in the areas of predator control, nest protection and habitat management will also
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be established through trialling of different techniques and implementation methods.
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Better understanding of the extent and impact of turf cutting activities in Curlew sites and recommendations on the management of turf cutting at Curlew sites.
Project details
- Main funding source
- Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups
- Rural Development Programme
- 2014IE06RDNP001 Ireland - Rural Development Programme (National)
Location
- Main geographical location
- Border
- Other geographical location
- West
€ 1100000
Total budget
Total contributions from EAFRD, national co-financing, additional national financing and other financing.
1 Practice Abstracts
In Ireland, the Curlew has been identified as a conservation priority in the Government’s Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) and is Red Listed in the Birds of Conservation Concern. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) commissioned a National Breeding Curlew survey in 2015. This study was completed in 2017 and found an estimated >90% population Curlew decline since the 1970s. Habitat loss and degradation is likely to be a key factor in these declines; however, in addition, as with other studies across the breeding range, very low levels of productivity as a result of predation were recorded, with many pairs failing at the nest stage and very few young fledged. It is likely that without significant intervention, Irish breeding Curlew may become extinct in the wider countryside within the next 10 years. Conservation action to prevent this is therefore urgently required. This project aims to prevent further losses to the Irish Curlew population through the protection and enhancement of known Curlew breeding sites in Ireland, and also to educate and compensate farmers and rural dwellers for creating and managing Curlew habitats in two focus areas, Lough Corrib in County Galway and the south Leitrim bogs.
In Ireland, the Curlew has been identified as a conservation priority in the Government’s Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) and is Red Listed in the Birds of Conservation Concern. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) commissioned a National Breeding Curlew survey in 2015. This study was completed in 2017 and found an estimated >90% population Curlew decline since the 1970s. Habitat loss and degradation is likely to be a key factor in these declines; however, in addition, as with other studies across the breeding range, very low levels of productivity as a result of predation were recorded, with many pairs failing at the nest stage and very few young fledged. It is likely that without significant intervention, Irish breeding Curlew may become extinct in the wider countryside within the next 10 years. Conservation action to prevent this is therefore urgently required. This project aims to prevent further losses to the Irish Curlew population through the protection and enhancement of known Curlew breeding sites in Ireland, and also to educate and compensate farmers and rural dwellers for creating and managing Curlew habitats in two focus areas, Lough Corrib in County Galway and the south Leitrim bogs.
Contacts
Project coordinator
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Dr Anita Donaghy
Project coordinator