Blackwater and Sky

Blackwater and Sky are currently at their individual nest locations in Duhallow, being provisioned by their parents. We do not want to disclose the location of their nests, and there are still perils which they must overcome before fully fledging and making a life of their own. However, as soon as they begin making their way in life, you will be able to follow their travels and see their location on this website. Keep checking in with henharrierireland.blogspot.ie!


Blackwater - She's a lady!

The Blackwater is said to be the most beautiful river in Ireland. It flows through Duhallow and was chosen by a local schoolboy as a really nice name for the first Hen Harrier to be fitted with a satellite tracker as part of this project. Blackwater was born on a heather moorland and has two siblings, a younger brother and an older sister. She has already mastered the art of flying but is still reliant on her parents for food. She is a beautiful young bird with dark brown eyes. We wish her all the very best on her travels through life. Go n-éirí an bóthar léi!


Sky - He's the man!

The Hen Harrier is renowned for its famous Sky Dance courtship display. The male's are the main men for carrying out this awesomely impressive aerobatic display. So, some local school girls have christened the first male Hen Harrier to be satellite tracked as part of this project, Sky. Sky was born in a scrub area of rushes and bramble. He is currently in his nest being looked after by his parents, while his older brother and sister are now able to fly. He has striking smoky-grey eyes. We hope that some day, sky will turn into a fine silver adult male (like his father further down on this page), and of course perform some amazing sky dances in the spring and summer! Beir Bua!

Stay Tuned!

Hi All,

We will soon be following the satellite tracked Hen Harriers online, when they begin to make their way in life. Join as a member and please continue to check in for updates, add any comments or learn more about Hen Harriers in Ireland.

Slán tamall,
Hen Harrier Ireland

Local School Children Suggest Hen Harrier Names

Loads of entries came in for naming Hen Harrier chicks and it was a really difficult decision to make in choosing the best and most suitable. Finally, the names were chosen as follows:

Heather (after the Hen Harrier's natural habitat)

Diarmuid (after a Celtic legend who has links with many parts of Ireland, including a place on the Duhallow/Muskerry border named after Diarmuid where Hen Harriers previously bred)

Blackwater (after the most beautiful River Blackwater that flows through Duhallow and has Hen Harriers along its flow)

Sky (after the most spectacular feature of the Hen Harrier - the Sky Dance!)

Well done to all who suggested these names. Stay tuned! ;-)

Hen Harrier - Nature's Work of Art

Hen Harriers are among the most elegant, skillful and inspiring sights one could ever hope to see. Elegance, Skill and Inspiration are all values that are needed for good art. The best entries of the art that was received from primary schools in the Duhallow and Muskerry regions can be seen in the video below. All entries can be seen in the "Education" page of this website.

The Arrivals (2). The chicks are in the nests! We're getting close!

Nest 1

The mother leaves the nest to hunt for more food for the three chicks. © Barry O'Donoghue

 

This nest, set in heather, grass and gorse is quite amazing, even by the high standards set by Hen Harriers as to what is amazing!

From a hide just 30m away, I could see all the action in the nest, the three chicks gaining their feathers, the father and mother bringing in prey and brooding the young in times of mist or rain...it really is a sublime privilege to watch Hen Harriers. It is enthrawling to watch the siblings walk about, stretch their wings, have the odd brother-sister tiff and even have a tug-o-war with the food brought in by their parents! Please God they will all remain safe from predators, given their parents have to travel long distances over mature forestry before they reach suitable hunting grounds, thereby increasing the time during which the chicks are left on their own.

Nest 2

Two chicks only 2-3 days old and another chick is hatching from the egg to the right. © Barry O'Donoghue

There is also another egg in the nest. Hopefully all four will make it. They are much later than normal in their breeding attempt, perhaps as a result of the abnormal weather this Spring/Summer. The parents at this nest are really good providers so we have good hope.

Nest 3

The father is bringing in food to the nest. © Barry O'Donoghue

This guy is a super provider, the high rate at which he brings in food is a reflection of the fact that he has profitable hunting habitats (Willow bushes, Rough Grassland, Heather Bog, Hedgerows) in proximity to his nest.

Hen Harrier Presentation Now Online

The introduction to Hen Harriers in Ireland, presented to the community of Duhallow, is now available to watch in full on "The Hen Harrier" page of this website.

Hen Harrier Day in Newmarket

Hundreds of school children from Banteer, Lyre, Kilcorney, Ballydesmond, Meelin and Donoughmore, all areas immersed in Hen Harrier habitat and territories, attended one of the most important days of the Duhallow Hen Harrier Satellite Tracking project - Hen Harrier day in Newmarket.

This gathering brought the next generation and custodians of the landscape in Duhallow closer to the Hen Harrier, and the Hen Harrier closer to the people.

Barry O'Donoghue introduced the school children to the Hen Harrier and talked about its ecology including the spectacular food passes and sky dancing! All of this is on the doorstep of  the people of Duhallow and just waiting to be enjoyed!

The schools are invited to become involved on the satellite tracking project by contributing writings and images of what the Hen Harrier means to them. By logging onto this blog, they will be able to follow the progress of the satellite-tagged young harriers as they make their way in the world from August 2012 onwards. So that we know which bird is which, the two male and two female harriers will be christened by the local school children!

The live presentation will be uploaded to the blog shortly so keep checking for updates!