BirdWatch Ireland has launched a nationwide fundraising appeal to support the conservation of the Hen Harrier, one of Ireland’s most iconic and endangered birds of prey.

The campaign comes in response to alarming findings from the 2022 National Hen Harrier Survey, which revealed a one-third decline in the species over just seven years. Only 85 to 106 breeding pairs are believed to remain in the country.

The Hen Harrier, known for its dramatic aerial courtship display known as the “skydance,” is now at greater risk than the Curlew and the Corncrake, two species often cited as examples of Ireland’s biodiversity crisis. Without immediate and sustained intervention, experts warn that the Hen Harrier could vanish from Ireland within 25 years.

BirdWatch Ireland is calling on the public to donate to its Hen Harrier Appeal, which aims to raise €40,000 to fund critical conservation efforts. As of this week, the campaign has raised over €25,000.

Funds will be used to advocate for a stronger Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan, which is currently under review following a public consultation in early 2024. BirdWatch Ireland has expressed concern that the draft plan lacks the necessary measures to address key threats such as habitat loss from forestry and wind energy development, as well as disturbances during breeding season.

The organisation has already invested more than 230 hours into shaping the plan and will continue to push for ambitious actions that benefit both the Hen Harrier and the upland landscapes it inhabits. In addition to policy advocacy, BirdWatch Ireland plans to expand its surveying and monitoring work, particularly in areas outside the Special Protection Area (SPA) network, where more than half of the breeding population nests.

The appeal also supports the purchase of specialised monitoring equipment, the development of non-invasive survey techniques, and the creation of public education materials to raise awareness about the species’ plight.

More information and donation options are available on BirdWatch Ireland’s website.