Breeding common cranes spotted in Co. Offaly bog
The pair have successfully reared five chicks in the last three years, and have recently been spotted at the nesting spot by a Bord na Móna ecologist.
Following careful monitoring, it has been established that the pair are once again incubating eggs.
According to Bord na Móna, breeding cranes are a 'returning species' in Ireland, as cranes were formerly lost as a breeding bird.
It said that initial breeding attempts were made by a single pair in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
This followed successful breeding in 2022, 2023, and 2024, which marks the first time in several hundred years that the species is part of Ireland's breeding avifauna.
Cranes
An ecologist at Bord na Móna monitoring the birds since 2022, Chris Cullen believes that the birds are benefitting from habitat improvements associated with Bord na Móna's Peatland Climate Action Scheme (PCAS).
He said: 'Over the last two breeding periods, the nesting pair and their young have been seen utilising recently rehabilitated cutaway peatlands for feeding and shelter.
'In addition, over the last number of years, several summering but non-breeding individuals have also been observed on other rehabilitated cutaway bogs in the midlands.'
'It appears a nascent breeding population is possibly becoming established, with clear links to rehabilitated peatlands in terms of usage,' Cullen added.
The PCAS is a large-scale peatlands restoration project administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications, and regulated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
It is hoped that the ongoing development of wetland habitats following rehabilitation under the present scheme will continue to support the expansion of this newly returned species in Ireland.
The location of the nest is confidential in order to protect and conserve the birds.
However, Bord na Móna has confirmed that the site is situated on a cutaway bog formerly used to harvest peat for energy production.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Rare white stork spotted in Dublin may be result of climate change, says expert
A rare spotting of a white stork in Dublin has prompted bird experts to consider the potential effects of climate change on migration habits. The bird, normally native to Spain and Portugal, is believed to have spent Thursday night perched atop a lamp-post in the village of Lusk. 'It seemed to have spent 12 or 13 hours standing on that lamp-post,' said Niall Hatch, BirdWatch Ireland' s head of communications. 'Storks actually do that quite a bit on top of lamp-posts or buildings – that's how they sleep. It's safer for them than being on the ground and, actually, for a bird like that with quite a large wingspan, it's actually easier than being up in a tree.' READ MORE While there have been a number of white stork sightings in Ireland this year, Mr Hatch said this was quite unusual. 'I've been birdwatching all my life around Ireland and only saw my first white stork earlier this year down at Wexford. It is by no means a common bird to see in Ireland at all. It's a very rare visitor,' he said. BirdWatch Ireland has asked for any member of the public who spots a white stork to contact them. Photograph: Paul Lynch 'Although it's speculation on my part, it would seem that climate change has played a role and we are seeing a situation where some of the birds in the European population, even in the Netherlands, they're not bothering to migrate any more.' A white stork was spotted earlier in the week in Bettystown, Co Meath. It is believed to have been the same bird as in Lusk, although there is no way to confirm it as the birds are not tracked. [ 'It's like Jurassic Park isn't it?': The Dodder wildlife photographers and the rare images they capture Opens in new window ] It was seen in a field with a group of native birds in the north Co Dublin commuter town, grazing in the wake of a tractor. Mr Hatch said this was also typical of the species, despite its appearance leading people to believe it is a water bird. BirdWatch Ireland has asked if any member of the public who spots a white stork to let them know via or social media.
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
The white-tailed sea eagle has successfully been re-introduced to Ireland
UP TO 150 white-tailed sea eagles have now taken to the skies in Ireland, as the final year of a reintroduction programme, launched almost 20 years ago, kicks to touch. A total of 26 chicks will be reintroduced to Ireland this year through a programme by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and their Norwegian partners. Four of them will be released from Killarney National Park this weekend. The first sea eagles were brought to the park in Co Kerry in 2007, in what was the first phase of the programme to bring back the large bird of prey to Ireland. The bird was shot out and poisoned in the 19th century. Since 2007, the programme has been a success. Despite some instances of poisonings, including three this year, the population of sea eagles is now healthy enough to sustain itself into the future, the NPWS believes. Advertisement Eamonn Meskell, a divisional manager with the NPWS at the park, believes the green space in Kerry provided the perfect nesting habitat for the birds, with its old, tall oak and pine trees, quiet surroundings 'and an ample supply of fish available in the lakes'. Junior minister for nature Christopher O'Sullivan has paid tribute to the collaboration between farmers, the NPWS and landowners in Ireland as well as the state's partners in Norway, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. 'Over 18 years, work and collaboration has led to a growing white-tailed eagle population and also has seen habitat restoration and engagement with landowners and farmers to secure the eagle's ongoing protection,' he said. There was evidence now of white-tailed eagles breeding in counties from the south of the island in Cork right up to Donegal. More releases are planning throughout the end of this year. Every chick is fitted with a satellite tag, so that their movements can be tracked as they disperse and establish in new areas. The chicks are also vulnerable to external factors such as adverse weather conditions, avian influenza, disease, and illegal poisonings. Aslak Brun, Norway's Ambassador to Ireland, said he hoped the programme will lead to future reintroduction projects between the two countries. Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the NPWS, said the project displayed 'best practice' for future ventures. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Four white-tailed sea eagles to be released in Killarney National Park in final year of programme
Almost 250 white-tailed sea eagles have taken to the skies over the country as the final year of a re-introduction programme - which began almost two decades ago - nears completion. This year alone the re-introduction programme by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Norwegian partners will see 26 chicks released to the wild - with four of those chicks being released from Killarney National Park this weekend. The park is where the first sea eagles were brought from Norway in 2007 in what was the first phase of the programme to bring back the large bird of prey, shot out and poisoned in the 19th century. A total of 245 chicks have been re-introduced from Norway since 2007. Killarney National Park provides the perfect nesting habitat, with its old, tall oak and pine trees, quiet surroundings 'and an ample supply of fish available in the lakes for their survival,' said Eamonn Meskell, Divisional Manager NPWS, Killarney National Park. Minister of State Christopher O'Sullivan paid tribute to the collaboration between farmers and the NPWS and landowners as well as the Norwegian partners. 'This programme has seen this mighty bird soar again in Irish skies and its success is a tribute to the NPWS and their colleagues in the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research,' he said. There is evidence now of white-tailed eagles breeding in counties from the south of the island in Cork right up to Donegal. However, Killarney was 'a special place for the white-tailed eagle,' he said. 'So, whilst we are sad to see the programme come to a close this year, it leaves a lasting legacy in the skies.' All of the chicks are fitted with satellite tags so that their movements can be tracked as they disperse and establish in new areas. The chicks are vulnerable to external factors such as adverse weather conditions, avian influenza, disease, and illegal poisonings - with three poisonings this year, two of which occurred in Kerry, and investigations continuing.
