THE Irish Government has confirmed a €4.3m programme to protect rare farmland birds.
The corncrake is one of the endangered bird species in Ireland which will be targeted through the funds, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan confirmed today.
The ‘Natura Communities for Birds’ initiative, which was launched in Belmullet, Co. Mayo, will be rolled out in nine key sites in counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway.
These areas have been selected for the conservation of corncrake and will be designated as Special Protection Areas, but they will also support the conservation of a broader range of bird species.
Corncrake are listed on the Red List of Conservation Concern due to declining numbers in Ireland and across Europe.
Corncrakes are described as 'shy, secretive birds' (Pic: Birdwatch Ireland/Colum Clarke)Described as a 'shy, secretive bird of hay meadows' by Birdwatch Ireland, the distinctive kerrx-kerrx call of the male bird during the breeding season is often the only indication of their presence.
Over the past five years, Ireland’s ongoing Corncrake LIFE project contributed to a 55 per cent increase in the national corncrake population.
The new Natura Communities for Birds programme will expand on that project.
“The Corncrake LIFE Project has been an incredibly successful and hopeful story of nature conservation in Ireland,” Minister O’Sullivan said.
“Through investment in conservation, and working hand in hand with local communities, this most elusive bird and its unique call can be heard that bit louder every year in the meadows, farmlands and hayfields of the northwest.
“Last year saw the highest number of corncrake territories recorded in 25 years.
“An incredible 250 farmers and landowners across Donegal, Mayo and Galway are now managing land for nature, implementing measures which protect this bird and improve its habitat.”
He added: “This new programme will build on that progress and provide further investment in communities here to keep up this good work.
"We need to support farmers and landowners who want to farm with nature and make sure that they are rewarded for the results they produce.”
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has welcomed the new initiative.
“Collaboration and engagement are the underpinning successes of the Corncrake Life project, from cross departmental to farmers and the wider community,” he said.
“This initiative brought all parties together with a conservation objective that delivered for all involved and is complemented by the ACRES Cooperation approach.
“I am delighted to support the future Corncrake programme and the winning tenderer Atlantic West Community Alliance CLG, which will continue this excellent conservation work.”
See More: Corncrake, Funding, Ireland
