Heath-bog habitat protection for endangered Hen Harrier

The blanket ban on planting forestry in certain areas important to the survival of the endangered hen harrier has been lifted (March 2007). Instead, the Government has established a new forestry management protocol for the forestry and farming groups who had objected to the ban.

Under the protocol, six Special Protection Areas (SPA), important to the hen harrier, have been designated. In these, limited sustainable and quota-based afforestation will be allowed . It is thought that this will facilitate the protection and enhancement of the hen harrier's preferred habitat, including heath and bog. The National Parks and Wildlife Service will monitor the protocol's impact on habitat.

The Special Protection Areas include the:

• Slieve Bloom mountains (Laois and Offaly);
• Stack's to Mullaghareirk mountains, West Limerick hills and Mount Eagle (Cork, Kerry and Limerick);
• Mullaghanish to Musheramore (Cork);
• Slieve Felim to Silvermines (Limerick and Tipperary);
• Slieve Beagh (Monaghan) and
• Slieve Aughty mountains (Clare and Galway).

Read more:

• UCC research project: Optimum scenarios for Hen Harrier conservation in Ireland
• Bird net: Related news, hen harrier information and controversy over new SPAs
• Coillte's Biodiversity Action Plan for the Hen Harrier
  
  

Save our squirrels

In many parts of Ireland, red squirrels are being outcompeted by non-native grey squirrels. However, a pilot project that is taking place throughout 2007, aims to preserve healthy populations of red squirrels in the West of Ireland. Here, the Shannon forms a natural barrier, inhibiting the spread of greys from East to West.

The project involves identifying suitable woodland habitat, and relocating red squirrels from other areas where they are at risk. In February, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) managed the relocation of 15 red squirrels from Portumna National Park in Co Galway to Derryclare Wood in Connemara. Squirrels are also due to be relocated to Belleek Wood in Co Mayo. The relocation approach conforms to strict International Union for the Conservation of Nature guidelines.

Conserving Ireland's 50,000 red squirrels

The IUCN's Red List categorises the Eurasian Red Squirrel as Near Threatened. The species is widespread, but suffering from habitat fragmentation and competition from introduced grey squirrels. It is estimated that for every 1 red squirrel in Ireland there are 5 greys (around 50,000 reds to 250,000 greys). However, a pilot relocation project West of the River Shannon (where there is less pressure from the greys) aims to restablish healthy populations in new habitats.

In Co. Galway, 15 red squirrels have recently been trapped and relocated from Portumna National Park to Derryclare Wood in Connemara. A second translocation of squirrels to the Coillte owned Belleek Wood in Co. Mayo has been approved by the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche. It is thought that Beleek Wood could support a population of 65 red squirrels but before any are introduced the Belleek Wood Enhancement Group and Coillte are improving the wood as squirrel habitat.

The Department of the Environment's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is overseeing the work within guidelines from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

• Read the Proceedings of the Irish Red Squirrel Conservation Symposium, 2005 (PDF, 19 pages, 106KB)

Ireland vital statistics

Check out the Ordanance Survey of Ireland (OSI) website for facts and figures on Ireland's tallest mountains, longest rivers, largest lakes and physical dimensions:

• Kerry has 4 of Ireland's 8 highest mountains, ranging from the 951m Mount Brandon to 1038m Carrauntoolhil. At ninth position is Donegal's Errigal at 749m.
  
  
• Ireland's longest river is the Shannon (360km) followed by the Barrow (193km), the Suir (184km) and the Blackwater (168km).
  
  
• Northern Ireland claims Ireland's largest lake, namely Lough Neagh at 381 sq km. County Galway's Lough Corrib is second at176 sq km and Lough Derg (which straddles Counties Tipperary, Galway and Clare) third with 118 sq km. County Fermanagh's Lough Erne covers 112 sq km and Roscommon, Longford and Westmeath share Lough Ree at 105 sq km.
  
  
• Depending where you measure to and from, Ireland is 486km from top to tail and 275km wide.

Ireland has 12 of 13 major European wild brown trout habitats

Ireland has 12 of the 13 significant natural wild brown trout lakes that remain in Europe. These rare and relatively large lakes have certain characteristics that, since the last ice age, have made them the perfect habitat for wild brown trout: alkaline, unpolluted and with extensive shallow areas and an abundance of insect life.

The Corrib river and lake system in the West of Ireland harbours the largest and most important of these 12 lakes: Loughs Corrib, Mask and Carra. These, the Great Western Lakes, have a surface area of 265 sq km and constitute an environmental resource of major international importance.

Depressed brown trout stocks
A scientific survey indicating that wild brown stocks were depressed prompted the establishment of wild brown trout development programmes for these lakes. The programme aims to implement measures to foster the growth of wild brown trout stocks. It addresses water quality and environmental issues by facilitating riverine surveys, river and stream development and stock management.

You can find out more on the Western Regional Fisheries Board website

National Parks in Ireland

There are six national parks in Ireland, covering a combined area of 596 sq km, or only 0.86% of Ireland's total land area (68890 sq km). The criteria and standards for national parks are laid down by the World Conservation Union (also known as IUCN - International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Much of the land is also designated as a SAC (Special Area of Conservation (PDF format)) under the EU Habitats Directive.

Travelling clockwise around Ireland from Dublin the national parks:

1. Wicklow Mountains National Park, Co. Wicklow (159 sq km)
2. Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry (103 sq km)
3. The Burren National Park, Co. Clare (17 sq km)
4. Connemara National Park, Co. Galway (30 sq km)
5. Ballycroy National Park, Co. Mayo (118 sq km)
6. Glenveagh National Park, Co. Donegal (170 sq km)