A SCHEME aimed at reintroducing a number of birds of prey across the Republic received a boost yesterday when it emerged a number of species have bred for the first time this summer.
The news comes despite more than 20 poisonings of golden eagles, red kites and sea eagles.
In 2007 and 2008 a number of adult birds were released. This summer, 12 kites were born in seven nests. The kites have survived by eating rabbits, crows, rats and in one case scraps from a butcher’s shop.
There is also good news for the Golden Eagle in Co Donegal in the hills of Glenveagh National Park. Only three Golden Eagles have been bred since the project started 10 years ago and one of them, named Conal, has since been found poisoned.
However, organisers yesterday said another three birds have been hatched in Donegal.
Lorcan O’Toole of the Golden Eagle Trust said he was delighted to announce the news.
“It really is great news. I know we have had out ups and down but I think people are really beginning to see the benefits of having these beautiful birds around.
“Hopefully now we can move on from here and that all species will continue to flourish across the country,” he said.
