News

Tracking Hen Harriers

Date Released: Friday, August 23, 2013

The National Parks and Wildlife Service, in collaboration with IRD Duhallow, are embarking on one of the most exciting wildlife projects in some time, following two young Hen Harriers by means of lightweight satellite tags as they make their respective journeys in life.

Log onto henharrierireland.blogspot.com for the latest on the project and the movements of these two sisters.

The Hen Harrier is one of Ireland’s most spectacular and special birds of prey, yet is also one of our most threatened species. NPWS has a long-standing and close affinity with the Hen Harrier, having been involved in researching, monitoring and protecting the raptor for over 30 years now. Advances in modern technology have enabled us to progress this cutting edge research with IRD Duhallow, using state-of-the-art satellite trackers. The travels of two young sister Hen Harriers from Kerry are being followed on an almost daily basis, with updates on their progress and individual stories available on the project website:

henharrierireland.blogspot.com

The information and data derived from the satellite trackers will build on the picture of Hen Harrier movements and survival already presented by a national wing-tagging programme. In addition, the stories of the individual harriers themselves, named by the local school children of Duhallow, will help foster a greater awareness and understanding of Hen Harriers among the general public.

For more information on satellite and wingtagging as well as Hen Harrier research in general visit henharrierireland.blogspot.com

Photos © Barry O'Donoghue