Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
366. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the National Parks and Wildlife Service is using Larsen traps as part of its curlew conservation programme; and if it is using these traps in other programmes. [39426/17]
View answerA number of native Irish breeding birds, particularly ground-nesting birds, are of priority conservation concern due to steep declines in their breeding population. This includes the Curlew, which has declined by 97% in Ireland since the late 1980s and needs substantial effort if it is to be saved from extinction as a breeding species here.
One of the main reason for the declines of Curlew and other ground-nesting birds is excessive predation rates, including by members of the crow family, in particular Grey Crows and Magpies. It is estimated that there are more than half a million of both species in Ireland, and that their population is artificially high.
Magpies and Grey Crows are legally and humanely controlled, in a targeted and localised way, by professional operatives on contract to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to help rare and threatened species rear their young. Larsen traps are used as part of this effort for Curlew, Red-throated Diver, Red Grouse, Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe, Corncrake and other species where predation is judged to be a significant factor in their decline.
The use of Larsen traps complies with the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003 (SI No. 620/2003).
