Since 2000, my Department, through its National Parks and Wildlife Service, has been providing funding and logistical support to the Golden Eagle Trust for reintroduction projects of the Golden Eagle, the White-tailed Eagle and the Red Kite. Between 2001 and 2012, 63 Golden Eagles were released in Glenveagh National Park, Donegal.
Between 2007 and 2011, a total of 100 White-tailed Eagle were released in Killarney National Park, Kerry and during the same period 160 young Red Kites were released near Avoca, Wicklow and two locations in north Co. Dublin. At present, there are 5 territorial pairs of golden eagles, 85 territorial pairs of Red Kites and 10 territorial pairs of White-tailed Eagles being monitored.
The Golden Eagles are the most difficult species to re-introduce, and fledged 12 wild bred chicks between 2007 and 2016; the red kites have fledged 192 chicks since 2010; and the white tailed eagles have fledged 14 chicks in the wild since 2013. It is hoped that chicks of each species currently being monitored will fledge successfully this year. Poisoning has hampered the success of the eagle projects and continues to be a threat.
The geographical distribution of the reintroduced birds differs for the three species involved. Golden Eagles have only been recorded as breeding in County Donegal though, in 2016, there has been some nesting activity recorded in Northern Ireland. Individuals have been recorded as far afield as Co. Kerry and Scotland. White-tailed Eagles have bred in County Kerry, where they were first reintroduced, and also in counties Clare, Cork and Galway. A young territorial pair of White-tailed Eagles has also been recorded this year in County Longford. The Red Kites have bred mostly in Wicklow, but also in counties Dublin, Meath and Wexford. There are now territorial eagles in each of the four provinces and the red kite has established a strong presence along several areas on the eastern seaboard.
Clare County Council reported that, in 2015, over 10,000 visitors came to view the pair of nesting white-tailed eagles in east Clare bringing important tourism revenue to the area. The eagles have been of great interest to visitors coming to Glenveagh and Killarney National Parks. This highlights that not only is there an intrinsic value in restoring, preserving and protecting our native species but that there exists a valuable opportunity for local businesses to benefit from biodiversity projects.
My Department is compiling figures on the funds provided to the Golden Eagle Trust and will send them to the Deputy in accordance with the timelines set out in Standing Orders.
