Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
257
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands
the extent to which she has sought and succeeded to preserve the natural habitat for grouse; the number of such locations; the estimated population of the species here; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[20748/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
258
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands
if her attention has been drawn to an increase or decrease in the grouse population; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[20749/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together.
The red grouse is a localised resident species which is generally confined to various types of peatlands including raised bog, blanket bog, and wet and dry heath where it feeds on heather. Since the 1920s there has been a marked decrease in the population because of loss of heather peatland habitat due to turbary-mechanised peat extraction, afforestation, overgrazing, burning and because of the decline in the number of areas managed as grouse shoots.
With regard to the general population of the species, the red grouse is a red-listed species, that is, given the highest concern rating, on the Irish birds of conservation concern report, compiled by BirdWatch Ireland, because its population has declined by more than 50% in the last 25 years. TheNew Breeding Atlas 1988-1991 shows a loss of 66% of all 10 km squares occupied during the first atlas, 1968-1972. Although there are some concerns about the level of coverage in the Republic during the second atlas, these results have been interpreted to mean that there has been a range decline of at least 50% during this period. The best general estimate for the species is in the range of 1,000 to 5,000 pairs.
As I have already indicated, active raised bog, blanket bog and heath are the main habitats used by grouse. I have proposed 127 heath or bog sites as CSACS, candidate special areas of conservation sites, as an important habitat protection initiative which should be of benefit to the grouse. It is not possible to give an estimate of grouse on each site.
Moreover, I should inform the Deputy that habitat management is also being undertaken through the commonage framework plans prepared jointly by Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. These plans seek to set sustainable stocking rates, which will aid vegetation recovery and provide further benefits for the grouse. Other initiatives of relevance to the concerns raised by the Deputy include the rural environment protection scheme, promoted by my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and local initiatives are also carried out by the national association of regional game councils, NARGC, in a number of areas in the country.
