Latest news with #FergalMonaghan
RTÉ News
15-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Warning over increased risk to endangered birds' nests from dogs
Conservationists are warning of an increase in recent weeks of the nesting sites of endangered breeding waders, such as the curlew, being destroyed by dogs. Breeding waders are among the most endangered bird species in Ireland. The most famous of them - the curlew - has seen 98% of its population lost since the 1980s. One of the few remaining habitats for the curlew, and other endangered ground-nesters like the oystercatcher, is around Lough Ree near Athlone. The habitat there is looked after by the Breeding Waders EIP project, which aims to secure existing breeding wader populations and support population recovery. Conservationists working in the area say there has been a rise in incidents of loose dogs chasing the endangered birds and disturbing their nests. Senior Project Manager Owen Murphy said the team has increasingly seen "human activity causing significant disturbance to these birds. "Disturbance can come in in a variety of different formats, from walking dogs off leads to camping in the wrong place, to driving across sensitive areas. "These birds feel unsettled, they don't feel safe, they see humans and dogs as predators, and so therefore they're inclined to abandon areas that have too much human activity," he added. The issue is a nationwide one, despite conservation efforts, including under the ACRES scheme. Part of the Government's €1.5 billion ACRES climate scheme funds 20,000 farmers to help provide habitats for endangered waders. However, Fergal Monaghan, Programme Director with ACRES, said the benefits of that work "can be put at risk by carelessness, particularly by dogs running off the leash". "We would ask people to keep their dogs on a leash, or ideally, don't bring dogs to sensitive areas - wetlands, bogs and heat and coastal areas - particularly between the months of March and August," he added. Mr Monaghan said "it's not being done maliciously, but a dog doesn't even have to catch a bird to do real damage, and it can drive birds away. "Earlier this year, we've lost the breeding population of lapwing at Bunduff lake in Sligo. Unfortunately, that problem is mirrored up and down the country, and we just ask people to be careful during the nesting season in these high-value areas, to keep dogs on a leash or ideally leave them at home." It is a criminal offence to wilfully disturb with the nesting site of any bird in the country and conservationists are asking members of the public to be mindful of the risk to these birds when in and around their habitats.
Agriland
22-04-2025
- General
- Agriland
Listen: AgriFocus - Will ACRES farmers get burnt on scorecards because of wildfires?
Listen: AgriFocus – Will ACRES farmers get burnt on scorecards because of wildfires? April 22, 2025 5:00 pm On this week's episode of AgriFocus, we take a closer look at why the fallout from wildfires which swept through some parts of the country earlier this month could deliver fresh challenges for some farmers in ACRES. Joining Agriland's Francess McDonnell on this episode of AgriFocus is Fergal Monaghan, programme director for ACRES Breifne, Leinster and Munster/South Connaught regions. Fergal has has 25 years' experience in the agri-environment sector, including 20 years as a farm advisor working with farmers in high nature value areas throughout Ireland. He sets out what support and guidance is available to farmers who may be concerned about the negative effects of wildfire and why it is important for them to have mitigation procedures in place. The programme director for ACRES Breifne, Leinster and Munster/South Connaught regions also highlighted what measures farmers can put in place, including bracken strimming, managed grazing and raising the water table on peatland commonages. The fortnightly AgriFocus podcast series takes a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.
