Yellowhammers are part of our natural Heritage




The Oxford dictionary describes the meaning of Heritage as
things of special architectural, historical, or natural value that are preserved for the nation.' Yet if we are to look at the proposals, put forward in the most recent Heritage Bill by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys it appears our Yellowhammers are not of natural value to our nation anymore. Indeed neither are our pollinators, bats, butterflies and mammals. This is the only conclusion one could possibly reason for naming such a destructive bill after this term.

 The Heritage Bill 2016 will propose extensions to the dates for hedgecutting and burning in the uplands. If these changes go through they will have wide implications for some of our most endangered wildlife. See Birdwatch Irelands full statement on the proposal.

More worryingly Birdwatch Ireland have already noted in relation to the bills proposed changes that, 'No scientific rationale has been presented in support of this change.' 

When no scientific rationale is put forward against scientific research on issues like hedgerow and upland management it makes suspect any future position the government takes on green issues.
 All this in turn creates confusion for the one sector that could help save some of our most endangered wildlife. Our farmers. This confusion is understandable. On the one hand they are told that scientific research shows climate change is happening and as such environmental legislation needs to be put in place to restrict farming practices that contribute to this. Yet if farmers were to read the latest  Heritage Bill being put forward by Minister Humphreys they would be forgiven for thinking that the whole climate change was a bad joke. Why accept scientific research when it comes to climate change and completely ignore it in the following proposals for this latest bill!?

Birdwatch Ireland have already concluded this decision to be politically motivated.

 If this bill goes through it will reward the sort of farming that has been most lethal to our environment and undermine the great work done by farmers who are fighting for a heritage to be proud of.

 Sign the petition now and make your voice heard. Click here

  

   



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Yellowhammers find refuge in the wilds of Meath

Image
Taking a short break from work on a conservation project a few years ago, I sat with some of my co-workers to take in the sights and sounds of the unique environment we were in. That unique environment was a small Island on the Shannon Callows, just outside Banaghar, Co. Offaly. The Island is a wildlife refuge for the Callows resident and immigrant wetland birds every Spring. Some of Irelands most endangered wetland birds, Curlew, Lapwing and Red Shank nest here. These red-listed birds have been dramatically affected by Irelands changing climate, habitat loss and farming practices. With many of these birds in drastic decline Birdwatch Ireland took the decision to permanently ring fence the Island with a predator proof fence. The fence, it was hoped, would offer some protection to the many chicks, of these wetland birds, from their natural predators and in turn help stop their decreasing numbers. The fence is one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe and has
Read more

Murmurations Of The Heart

Image
Murmuration in Nobber, Co Meath 2019. Photo by Peter Wilson I sensed something was different the minute I arrived. The turnout for this event was bigger than I had anticipated. Cars were prowling around the area looking for parking space. Every possible spot to park, already taken. Maybe there was a Gaelic football match on, I thought. The local GAA pitch was close to where we would be birdwatching. This was however a unique occasion and in retrospect, no football match could ever compete with it. As I got out of my car, I saw people walk in the direction of what, I assumed, would be the viewing point for this exiting spectacle and followed their lead. Whoever had organised this event had not considered such things. But there was no one to point the finger of blame on this occasion. No organiser to speak to and request that they at least consider such basics when planning future events. A side lane along a large field, with some mature conifer trees, would be the location
Read more

Lough Sheelin Walk: Review

Image
Birdwatch Ireland Meath Lough Sheelin Walk 17.11.19 A bright November morning and a spooked Kestrel greeted the arrival of our walk on the shores of Lough Sheelin near Mount Nugent, Co Cavan. Graham and Fiona, who own a stretch of land which juts out from the eastern shore of Lough Sheelin allowed us access to this excellent venue for our birdwatching event. Along with a good showing from the Meath Branch of Birdwatch Ireland, Gerry and Sean from the Kildare branch also joined us for this outing. A passing flock of Fieldfares called above the trees and bushes as we made our way to the lake through this thick cover of native woodland. The trees don’t grow very tall in this saturated ground but do provide a dense cover or ‘home’, for the calling siskins and redpolls, as well as numerous Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Robins and various Tits. Fieldfare - pic: Dick Coombes We were struck by more unusual sounds coming from the lake, the whinnying of Little Grebes, and pig-lik
Read more