Call to remove declining bird species from open season order of hunting
A community event to raise awareness on declining bird species will take place in Macroom, Co. Cork, next weekend.
'Unfair Game' will be hosted by the Macroom District Environmental Group (MDEG) on Saturday, October 17, starting at at 2:00pm.
The family event ties in with the undertaking of a petition by the group, calling on Minister of State with responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan, to remove declining bird species from the open season's order of hunting.
MDEG has said that golden plover, snipe, woodcock, red grouse and shoveler - all red-listed species - should be immediately taken off the open season's list.
They are also calling for the removal of amber-listed species: tufted duck, mallard, teal, gadwall, wigeon, and greylag goose.
Resident populations of numerous game species have fallen dramatically in recent years, but no limits have been imposed on their persecution by hunters, according to the group.
Ecologist and MDEG member, Laura McCarthy said: “It's not acceptable that red-listed species such as woodcock, snipe, golden plover, shoveler duck and red grouse are still hunted in Ireland, given their steep decline.
"Tourism websites that advertise hunting trips boast about bird densities of up to 30 per day, but never mention that these birds are disappearing from our landscape."
According to McCarthy, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) issues licences "with no upward limit on the numbers of birds killed, nor is a tally even taken".
"Tourists have a right to expect that, having received the correct licences, relevant authorities are taking responsibility for the welfare of rare birds, but they are not.
"The group has deemed this 'unfair game'," she explained.
In a 2023 public consultation submission on the open season's order, BirdWatch Ireland called for the removal of six species from the list based on robust scientific evidence of their ongoing declines.
McCarthy said: "Four were removed but, disappointingly, red-listed species shoveler duck and golden plover are still on the list in 2026.
"Other red-listed species: - snipe, woodcock, red grouse - and five amber-listed - tufted duck, mallard, teal, gadwall, wigeon - also have declining populations based on wetland bird surveys."
McCarthy contended that the government is failing to fulfil its environmental obligations under EU law.
"Alongside habitat loss and climate change, hunting is yet another pressure on ailing bird populations, but it can be addressed with the stroke of a pen, if Minister O'Sullivan sees fit," she said.
Meanwhile, the theatrical awareness afternoon will be family-friendly, with nature-themed music and 'Meet the Birds' - papier-mâché bird mask characters made by MDEG volunteers - with artist Tom Campbell showcased.
