Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which efforts are being made to protect the yellow hammer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27399/21]
View answerYellowhammer is a Red-listed species in Ireland due to significant range declines (-57% since 1968-72) with the species now largely restricted to eastern and southern counties. However, more recent population trends for 1998-2016 (as indicated by the Countryside Bird Survey) are showing a stable population trend (+4%).
One of the most important measures to protect Yellowhammer is the protection of hedgerows from cutting during the breeding season as catered for in the Wildlife Acts. In terms of other conservation efforts to support Yellowhammer, there are a number of agri-environment measures under the current national agri-environment scheme GLAS (the Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme) that promote the establishment and management of hedgerows e.g. coppicing hedgerows, laying hedgerows, planting new hedgerows, which may also benefit Yellowhammer.
In addition, the arable margins and wild bird cover measures under this scheme should also be beneficial to Yellowhammers and other seed-eating farmland birds.
