We’re running out of ducks.
Speaking in front of the Oireachtas Committee on Heritage on Tuesday, BirdWatch Ireland argued that Irish populations of certain birds had been “decimated” over the past few decades.
Oonagh Duggan, assistant head of policy and advocacy at BWI, told senators and TDs that populations of swifts, greenfinches, barn owls and kestrels had all “seriously declined” in the last 20 years.
“Habitat loss, climate change, and cumulative impacts represent the biggest pressures and threats on our wintering waterbirds and urgent action is needed to protect areas important for them and to maintain this diversity of species,” Ms Duggan told the Oireachtas commitee.
The population of many mainstream birds has dropped dramatically. Since 1999, Ireland’s population of mallard ducks has dropped by 40%.
Rarer bird populations – such as the puffin, which can be seen on Skellig Michael – are also dropping. Rising sea temperatures are forcing seabirds to travel further to find fish.
Also in serious danger is the curlew. Only 128 curlews can be found in Ireland at present, compared to a whopping 5,000 as recently as the 1980s.
Duggan called for greater enforcement of the laws against killing protected species of birds in Ireland. Last year, two peregrine falcons were unlawfully killed in Louth. She also called for better resourcing of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
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