A new strategy has been launched to protect hen harriers on Scattery Island in the Shannon estuary.

The new strategy was launched today (Thursday, July 23) by Minister of State for nature and biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan, and Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Kevin 'Boxer' Moran.

As well as its ancient monastic heritage and historic structures, Scattery Island, of the coast of Co. Clare, supports a significant proportion of the national breeding population of the hen harrier, a rare bird of prey.

The strategy includes actions being undertaken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), together with the National Monuments Service (NMS) and the OPW, to protect breeding activity, fledging, and to maintain suitable habitats for nesting, foraging and roosting on the island. 

Scattery Island lies on the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is surrounded by the River Shannon and the River Fergus Estuaries Special Protected Area (SPA).

The island is of national archaeological importance and is a designated National Monument.

The OPW has responsibility for management and conservation on the island, and offers guided walks through ferry access from the town of Kilrush in Co. Clare.

The new strategy for hen harriers includes "action themes" which address regulatory requirements, governance, monitoring, habitat management, built heritage integration, hen harrier foraging ecology, predator management, disturbance pressures, research needs, and long-term site protection. 

Scattery Island has recorded hen harriers since the early 2000s, and has held a breeding population for over a decade.

In recent years, Scattery Island has supported an average of more than four breeding pairs annually, peaking at seven pairs in one season.

This is a significant proportion of the national breeding population, which is estimated at approximately 100 breeding pairs. 

Commenting on the new strategy, Minister O'Sullivan: "Scattery Island is a beautiful place that is steeped in heritage and rich cultural history.

"Significant work has restored the historic built heritage of the island. Today we’re recognising its importance for nature and how it supports one of our rarest birds of prey, the hen harrier," the minister added.

He acknowledged the cooperation of everyone involved in hen harrier conservation on the island, including businesses and heritage groups in Kilrush.

"I’m so impressed by the ongoing collaboration of everyone involved here...It’s always a delicate balancing act to protect our monuments and the natural environment while managing visitors and tourism in a sustainable way. This strategy shows that it can be done," Minister O'Sullivan said.

He added: "In delivering this strategy we’ll learn more about the hen harrier and the conditions that allow them to breed successfully on this island, and I hope that we can apply this learning more widely."

Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran commented: "Scattery Island is a national treasure and is a unique landscape that weaves together history, culture and natural wildlife and this strategy focuses on protecting all of the above.

"By working in partnership with the NPWS, NMS and local stakeholders, we can continue to promote sustainable tourism while also protecting the site and the wildlife that inhabit this island," he added.

"The strategy will help ensure the hen harrier continues to have the right conditions to breed and thrive on the island for generations to come," Minister Moran said.