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Saturday 25 March 2023 Dublin: 3°C

# NPWS

Last month
February 2023
THE MORNING LEAD
Ireland fares worst at managing protected nature sites in new EU report
A report by
Niall Sargent
Out of 10 countries, Ireland underperformed in every measure aimed at protecting at-risk species such as the curlew and corncrake.
Report examined the effectiveness of measures to protect vulnerable species in Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
No Irish case had targeted, measurable and time-bound conservation measures to deliver the favourable status of species
"Incomplete and/or irregular” monitoring of many species also found
11.9k
20
Feb 2nd 2023, 12:05 AM
Last year
2022
# Investigation
Over the Hill: Persistent overgrazing causing 'devastation' in vulnerable habitats
Many upland areas are experiencing ongoing grazing pressure and degradation, with rare plants disappearing.
Many upland areas are experiencing grazing pressure and degradation, with rare plants disappearing
Anthea Lacchia of investigative platform Noteworthy reports that overgrazing remains an issue despite being recognised as a problem for at least two decades
Protected areas will be lost if farmers are not given more support, according to experts
20.9k
7
Jun 5th 2022, 12:04 AM
# peat sake
EPA to investigate complaint about State response to peat extraction on protected bogs
The move from the environmental watchdog comes in response to a complaint from an environmental NGO about illegal cutting.
14.2k
15
Updated
Mar 2nd 2022, 2:22 PM
# curlew champion
Wildlife service set to hire champions to aid with the conservation of curlews
The wildlife service has estimated that without any action, curlews could go extinct as a breeding species within the next five to ten years.
11.0k
5
Jan 25th 2022, 7:00 PM
THE MORNING LEAD
Peat was cut at 280 plots in protected bogs last year without State consent
A report by
Niall Sargent
Noteworthy analysis reveals cutting has frequently taken place at 30 protected sites over the past decade despite clear prohibitions since 2011.
The cutting of peat has frequently taken place at 30 protected sites over the past decade, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy
No ministerial consents have been granted by the State to allow cutting in any of the protected raised bog network sites
Just 1% of Ireland's active raised bogs remain after decades of peat-cutting and land reclamation
30.2k
42
Jan 13th 2022, 12:05 AM
All time
# Endangered Species
Rare hen harrier numbers plummet as plan to protect species pushed back
Only 18 pairs of the rare raptor species reared chicks this year in areas designated to protect it – the most unproductive year on record.
25.7k
10
Dec 26th 2021, 8:30 AM
THE MORNING LEAD
Crackdown sees 50 cases launched against illegal hedge cutting this year
A report by
Niall Sargent
Action by National Parks and Wildlife Service this year represents huge increase; only 70 cases were taken across the whole previous decade.
Huge crackdown on illegal cutting during bird nesting season over the past two years, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy
Since 2020, the wildlife service has taken as many cases to court as it did between 2010 and 2019
Over €45,000 was paid by guilty parties in fines, costs and donations to charities this year alone
44.4k
18
Dec 20th 2021, 12:05 AM
# cash cow
A win for farming, a win for nature: scheming for sustainability
Farm subsidies to protect biodiversity need to be channelled into results-led projects.
16.7k
7
Oct 8th 2021, 7:00 AM
# Endangered Species
Commission raps Ireland for 'persistently failing' to manage protected nature sites
Just over 60% of our 600-plus legally protected nature areas have conservation objectives.
26.6k
11
Sep 21st 2021, 7:05 AM
# Biodiversity
Funding failure: Most of Ireland's biodiversity spend goes on schemes that have little impact
Ireland’s overall spending on biodiversity protection is also under internationally-accepted levels.
14.2k
10
Aug 28th 2021, 9:15 AM
THE MORNING LEAD
Loss of Ireland's biodiversity is accelerating - and we're missing the chance to halt it
A report by
Niall Sargent
Noteworthy reveals virtually no protected sites have management plans and Ireland is moving further away from a target for effective nature conservation.
A host of iconic Irish species and habitats are under threat, writes Niall Sargent in first part of Noteworthy's investigation into biodiversity loss
Virtually none of our protected nature areas have management plans
An expert forum has labelled the State as the “biggest transgressor of environmental law in Ireland”
25.8k
41
Aug 27th 2021, 12:05 AM
# wildlife
23 white-tailed eagles arrive in Kerry Airport as part of wildlife reintroduction project
The chicks were collected this June from nests throughout the Trondheim area of West-Central Norway.
17.1k
23
Jun 25th 2021, 12:34 PM
THE MORNING LEAD
State issues licences to salmon farms to cull protected seals, documents reveal
A report by
Niall Sargent
Noteworthy investigation shows that at least two grey seals and three common seals were killed after licences were issued.
Since 2015, the NPWS granted 11 licences to farms to shoot small numbers of the protected species, reports Niall Sargent in the first part of Noteworthy's investigation into the salmon industry
Conservation groups have expressed shock at the decision and a lack of scientific evidence behind culling
The NPWS does not generally carry out site visits to monitor cull events due to 'resourcing issues'
44.0k
53
Jun 25th 2021, 12:05 AM
# Kerry boar hunt
Hunt continues in mountainous area of Kerry for missing wild boar
The boar was part of a herd of seven which was roaming the countryside near Castleisland.
36.3k
54
Jun 17th 2021, 12:58 PM
# NPWS
Parks service to rewet Wicklow Mountain bogs to increase Dublin water supply levels
A total of 60 hectares of blanket bogs are expected to be re-wetted by the NPWS.
22.2k
15
May 20th 2021, 1:00 PM
# Shear Force
3,000 kilometres cut in three years: Ireland's hedgerow heritage at risk
Noteworthy discovers rich hedgerow resource cut back by local authorities during bird nesting season.
47.2k
59
Feb 22nd 2021, 12:05 AM
# buzzard
Appeal for information after buzzard found shot dead on roadside in Co Laois
The bird was on a tree when it was shot with a shotgun at 7.50am on Saturday, 5 December.
40.7k
41
Dec 9th 2020, 3:29 PM
# banna beach
Wildlife service investigates reports of 'beheaded' seals on Kerry beach
The NPWS said it has visited the scene at Banna Beach.
37.3k
30
Nov 24th 2020, 11:47 AM
# Eagles have landed
Ten white-tailed eagles flown in from Norway to help bolster Irish population
The ten eagles are expected to be released in mid-August.
31.6k
59
Jun 26th 2020, 5:22 PM
# eye in the sky
Drones to be deployed to assist firefighters tackling forest fires over coming months
It’s the second year drones will be used to monitor designated ‘hot spots’ across regions of Dublin, Wicklow and the Midlands.
14.2k
22
May 12th 2020, 9:37 PM
# red list
The Lambay black rat is now the only 'threatened' terrestrial mammal species in Ireland
There is better news for bats, squirrels and otters.
23.0k
33
Dec 12th 2019, 11:42 AM
# RHD2
Suspension of hare coursing licences lifted in areas not affected by deadly virus
The suspension was announced in August after a number of cases of RHD2 were confirmed in Ireland.
15.5k
76
Oct 16th 2019, 10:48 PM
# Hare lurching
Five people fined for illegally hunting a hare in Co Mayo
Each defendant was ordered to pay €600 to the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
28.0k
0
Oct 3rd 2019, 6:17 PM
# Deadly
Minister suspends hare coursing licences after deadly rabbit disease discovered in the wild
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is asking the public to report any suspected discoveries of the disease.
40.7k
138
Aug 9th 2019, 7:15 PM
# Offaly
Two men convicted of illegally hunting hares in case brought by National Parks and Wildlife Service
Both men were convicted but sentencing was reserved for a later date as the men were not present in the court.
25.3k
27
Jul 19th 2019, 3:23 PM
# Nenagh District Court
Man convicted and fined for chopping down hedges during bird nesting season
The case was taken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
93.5k
62
Jun 19th 2019, 1:31 PM
# crayfish
Warning issued over 'severe and increasing' threat to native crayfish species
Ireland holds one of the largest populations of the globally endangered white-clawed crayfish.
15.5k
17
May 20th 2019, 5:01 PM
# BallyKelly
Investigation into deaths of two protected falcons found in Wexford quarry
The birds were found close to the remains of a pigeon which the National Parks and Wildlife Service said may be connected.
27.2k
42
Apr 12th 2019, 4:41 PM
# storm erik
Number of national parks to temporarily close as Storm Erik to hit country tomorrow
A status orange wind warning for Galway and Mayo has been issued by Met Éireann today.
55.5k
13
Feb 7th 2019, 9:37 PM
# Pine marten
'Contact your local ranger': Here's what to do if you find a pine marten in your home
The pine marten is a cat-sized carnivore, which feeds predominantly on berries and invertebrates.
86.4k
28
Jan 2nd 2019, 8:00 AM
# Kerry
Eddie the Eagle found dead in Kerry after going missing earlier this year
It emerged that, following his discovery, he had been dead for around three months.
38.1k
18
Jul 30th 2018, 6:46 PM
# Invasive Species
Killarney National Park 'significantly and rapidly deteriorating' due to rhododendron
The invasive plant is at the centre of a row between a voluntary body and a government department.
26.4k
17
Jan 7th 2018, 7:00 AM
# Coypu
Public warned about large rat-like rodent that can 'cause a lot of damage'
A coypu was recently spotted in Cork.
74.0k
61
May 15th 2017, 5:46 PM
# wildlife
Peregrine falcon found dead at Dalkey Quarry
The quarry was the site of an attempted poisoning of some falcons in 2014.
20.9k
53
Apr 11th 2016, 1:32 PM
# Protected
Rare white-tailed eagle chicks hatched in four Irish counties
It is hoped the eagle families will go on to form a viable population in Ireland.
12.6k
35
Jun 2nd 2015, 12:40 PM
# bird of prey
This protected falcon had to be euthanised after being shot in Wexford
The National Parks and Wildlife Service said the deliberate killing of birds of prey seems to be on the rise.
11.7k
107
Aug 13th 2014, 8:48 AM
# Bogs
Appeal issued over unauthorised bog cutting
Parks and Wildlife Service received reports of the cutting from locals in Counties Meath and Westmeath.
9.9k
116
Jul 11th 2014, 9:15 AM
# Irish Wildlife Trust
Pine martens could be helping the red squirrel make a comeback, but we need "continued research"
The population of the invasive grey squirrel is continuing to grow in Ireland.
9.6k
13
Apr 26th 2014, 9:45 AM
# croaked
Mystery in Kildare after discovery of 250 dead frogs
Samples have now been sent to a lab in the UK to examine the cause of the mass die-off.
49.7k
69
Feb 25th 2014, 6:09 PM
# horn of the dance
Environmental groups want to know if Flatley has a licence for that horn of his
The rhino horn was stolen from the dancer’s house in Cork last week.
13.2k
70
Jan 31st 2014, 5:24 PM
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