BirdWatch Ireland backs a new call for action to help Irish Red Grouse

A recent study by the Irish Grey Partridge Conservation Trust, UCD & the University of Uppsala, Sweden published this week and reported in the Irish Times on 22 June 2010 identifies an “alarming decline” in the genetic variation of Irish Red Grouse. The study showed that Irish grouse are genetically distinct from grouse in Britain but the decreasing genetic variation in Irish birds is threatening the possible extinction of this iconic bird. The study concludes that an Action Plan is urgently required to protect the Irish Red Grouse.

BirdWatch Ireland is leading an effort to produce action plans for all priority birds in Ireland. This work is part-funded by the Environment Fund of Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A draft Action Plan for Upland Birds is currently out to stakeholder consultation and includes a range of specific targets and actions for future Red Grouse conservation in Ireland. The plan will be published following stakeholder consultation.

A national survey of Red Grouse carried out in 2006 to 2008 was managed by BirdWatch Ireland and funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government).  This survey pointed to a huge range decline of 50% since the late 1960s when Red Grouse were abundant across much of Ireland including lowland bogs.

Sinéad Cummins, a Senior Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland, said “The current national population of 4,200 birds are facing increased pressures across their preferred habitats with changes in upland sheep farming, afforestation, illegal burning, wind energy and turf cutting the most pressing factors.  Detailed recommendations by BirdWatch Ireland based on the findings were included in the report and included the call for a Species Action Plan involving all relevant stakeholders”.

Peadar O’Connell, BirdWatch Ireland’s Species Policy Officer added “Species Action Plans are a proven conservation tool, identifying dedicated conservation actions for the species most at risk.  Action plans also help raise awareness and funds for threatened species and set out a strategic approach to protecting them”.

However the final Red Grouse Species Action Plan is produced, the need for urgent action is imperative particularly given its disappearance from many areas which were once suitable and the continued pressures on those remaining isolated populations.  More recently the scourge of wildfires and illegal burning on blanket bog (priority habitats under the European Union’s Habitats Directive), highlight the challenges that Red Grouse and many upland breeding birds face and the timely importance of BirdWatch Ireland’s Action Plan for Upland Birds in Ireland.

Read the Irish Times article