Actions planned in the Slieve Blooms in Laois to protect rare bird known as the Skydancer
Monitoring of breeding activity on site in 2025 has shown positive progress at an early stage
An accelerated programme of actions is due to take place in the Slieve Bloom Mountains to improve conditions for the Hen Harrier, a rare and protected bird of prey also known as the Skydancer due to its aerial manoeuvres.
Actions being proposed include the redesign of some areas of forested land in the Slieve Bloom Mountains with the assistance of Coillte. The actions are badly needed as the number of breeding pairs of Hen Harriers in 2022 was as few as between 85 and 106.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan published the 2025 Annual Implementation Report for the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan last Wednesday.
This first report highlights progress on actions to reverse the decline of Hen Harrier populations and improve its long-term prospects during the first year of the Threat Response Plan.
The Hen Harrier breeds in open upland bog and heather moorland. It has seen significant declines in recent years, and the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan includes actions designed to address key threats and pressures arising from land use change. It includes measures across agriculture, forestry and wind energy development sectors, both inside and outside the Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
“Reversing the decline of the Skydancer is challenging given the specific pressures it faces. Habitat restoration is key, and the NPWS has been working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Coillte and the farming community to step up efforts to improve the habitat for this magnificent bird of prey,” said Minister O’Sullivan.
“Increased action for Hen Harrier on the ground in the Slieve Bloom Mountains Special Protection Area includes enhanced population monitoring, nest protection measures, and greater levels of surveillance to prevent and manage fires. Monitoring of breeding activity on site in 2025 has shown positive progress at an early stage but we need more data to fully understand the impact of these measures.”
“We must now accelerate our efforts across the SPA network and beyond. The next steps in the Slieve Bloom Mountains will involve further progressing forestry removal through a pilot initiative in close co-operation with Coillte. In addition to the Hen Harrier, other ground nesting birds and wildlife will benefit from improved habitat management. This pilot initiative is also a pathfinder for working together to restore habitats on state owned lands, as momentum builds around our national Nature Restoration Plan,” said Minister O’Sullivan.
He thanked all of the departments and agencies for their commitment to delivering on the Plan and said success is dependent on all public authorities working together.
The Implementation report was prepared by the NPWS(National Parks and Wildlife Service) with input from the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan Interdepartmental Steering Group. Highlights within the report include a Memorandum of Understanding established between the NPWS and Coillte, which seeks to progress conservation actions for Hen Harrier on Coillte’s land.
The Slieve Bloom Mountains SPA was selected as an initial site for conservation actions and progress will inform subsequent delivery in the wider SPA network and beyond. A new European Innovation Programme (EIP) for coastal arable areas in the south-east is also being delivered to benefit winter harrier habitat. Finally, the report notes greater levels of cross sector collaboration, research and data sharing across key stakeholders.
A mid-term review of the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan will be undertaken later in 2026.