Island on Lough Ree bought to protect wading bird species

Mooney Goes Wild contributor Terry Flanagan shares his latest round of nature news.

It has just been announced that the State will buy an island on Lough Ree in order to protect a host of wading bird species breeding there. Clawinch island is a haven for water birds and an important migratory stopping point.

The decision has been announced by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD.

The Minister said: "In 2023, I announced a pledge of an additional €5 million to drive targeted conservation measures and strategic acquisitions for Breeding Waders. Today, I am proud to announce my intention to further increase the State's portfolio of landholdings for nature to include the acquisition of the beautiful island of Clawinch. The opportunity to purchase an island site like this is rare, and it’s particularly valuable for breeding waders.

"These birds nest on the ground and are particularly vulnerable to predators. Because it’s an island, Clawinch is something of a haven for them. I’d like to thank the current owner for his willingness to see this site conserved for its ecological importance into the future."

The island is haven for curlew, lapwing, oystercatcher, redshank, ringed plover and snipe, as well as various duck, gull and tern species. All of which nest and breed there. A recent survey of 25 lakes all over Ireland identified Lough Ree as the most important and ecologically significant breeding ground for water birds in the country.

This announcement adds to the footprint of lands already being managed for nature by the NPWS on Lough Ree, following last year’s acquisition of the nearby Black Islands, and will help to ensure that their vulnerable breeding wader populations can be secured into the future.

Owen Murphy, Senior Project Manager with the Breeding Waders EIP, stated:

"This acquisition is hugely exciting for the project and shows the commitment of government to invest in sites of strategic importance for Breeding Waders. Islands are such important sites for ground-nesting birds, as the protection offered by the surrounding water greatly reduces the risk of nest and chick predation by mammals.

"This need for scrub maintenance, and other habitat restoration measures, shows the dependency that Waders such as Curlew, Lapwing and Redshank have on sympathetic agricultural activity. These birds need farmers, and I want to compliment the amazing work being done by local farmers in managing lands to support vibrant Breeding Wader populations, as well as maintaining productive farming models. This shows how farmers and conservation projects such as the Breeding Waders EIP can work collaboratively for nature.

'Collaborative Conservation’ is the key to changing the fortunes for many, many Irish species. It is only when all stakeholders and interested parties work together, that meaningful actions can be taken to avert our biodiversity crisis".

Good news indeed.