The Eagles Return

1squidge

A program is starting on rte one on tuesday 12th october at 7pm about the reintroduction scheme of Bop into Ireland. Should be good.Ger.

E39MSport

http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/the_eagles_return.html

duckysauce

great programme

Ricky91t

Just watched the two episodes online.

Well worth the watch!

sables2

Good post 1squidge,
Yes, saw two programmes so far. Can't wait for tomorrow! Their a great bunch of guys doing a job they LOVE. Very nice of the Norwegians for giving us a lifeline. Looking at last programme showing the dead raptures found on farm land shows that the farmers still are totally ignorant. Poison bait traps STILL been used??? We ALL have a part to play here. I REALLY hope these stunning white tailed eagles and other birds of prey get they're chance to thrive in this beautiful country.

cuddlycavies

Not being a prick sables. But it's ''raptors''. And yes it's swuch a weird irony that so many well intentioned people's efforts are negated by such a few rednecks. It's also scarily coincidental that new laws coincided with the airing of this series. Many of us have been appalled and unrepentent in our condemnation of poisoning for years and voices went unheard. Another example of what a shower run our country. Any takers on a bet that the Healy Raes will be on shortly looking for compensation for Farmers in North Kerry for time lost due to new laws? What will they do without their poison?

sables2

Hi cuddlycavies,
Thanks for that vowel correction:''raptors''. Ah poor 'ole Jackie Healy Rae. He's a poor farmer' didn't you know? I understand you point though: If compensation was brought to the table in the UK about eagles or any birds of prey - there'd be UP-ROAR!...no question. We're..(farmers/over paid politicians mostly) greedy in this country. Look where we are now...and John 'gormless' Gormley is our 'Minister for the Environment..hello! If they.. (the eagle trust) don't get this eagle introduction working with some sucess, you can thank the Government (funding) and their money grabbing 'cronies' for utter lack of respect and down right ignorance of animal welfare. Richard Boyd Barrett's party is called: 'People Before Profit' - well, turn it on it's head..that's what most of us want! Will 'we' EVER learn.

jkforde

cuddlycavies wrote: »

Not being a prick sables. But it's ''raptors''. And yes it's swuch a weird irony that so many well intentioned people's efforts are negated by such a few rednecks. It's also scarily coincidental that new laws coincided with the airing of this series. Many of us have been appalled and unrepentent in our condemnation of poisoning for years and voices went unheard. Another example of what a shower run our country. Any takers on a bet that the Healy Raes will be on shortly looking for compensation for Farmers in North Kerry for time lost due to new laws? What will they do without their poison?

I must claim Healy-Rae as our premier intellectual south Kerry national representative, not north Kerry's. He's ours I tell ya! Back on topic, how about the NPWS bringing in a sort of local rangers reserve force like the AGS reserve force. We have to get over our whole 'informer' paranoia in this country. The only people these people are harming is us, not British rule!

Birdnuts

I must say I found tonights programme rather depressing and a pretty poor advertisiment for sheep farming in parts of Kerry. The attitude of some of the farmers interviewed was alarming given the level of ignorance on display and was in stark contrast to the enlightened views of their counterparts in Norway. On the back of this I don't hold out much hope of next Spring being much of an improvement on this years grim totals of eagle and kite deaths:(

jkforde

I passionately believe in direct action so here's the IFA contact page (Kerry's at the top), let them know what you think...

1squidge

3 episodes now and yes its quite depressing. It shows Ireland in a bad light to the outside community. It only takes a few bad eggs to do this. Maybe not even bad just ignorant and uneducated, That imo is how some of our sheep farmers came across. I think the ifa have some responsibility aswell. All in all it has been a very good series with some excellent panoramic views. I think there should be some proactive information given again to the sheep farmers in these areas about biodiversity,poisoning and new laws so ignorance and lack of knowledge can not be used as an excuse. May I might stress that it seems to be only a minority of sheep farmers that are doing this.

Feargal as Luimneach

1squidge wrote: »

3 episodes now and yes its quite depressing. It shows Ireland in a bad light to the outside community. It only takes a few bad eggs to do this. Maybe not even bad just ignorant and uneducated, That imo is how some of our sheep farmers came across. I think the ifa have some responsibility aswell. All in all it has been a very good series with some excellent panoramic views. I think there should be some proactive information given again to the sheep farmers in these areas about biodiversity,poisoning and new laws so ignorance and lack of knowledge can not be used as an excuse. May I might stress that it seems to be only a minority of sheep farmers that are doing this.

Farmers (like those Norwegian sheep farmers) educating our problem farmers might be a more effective solution. They are more likely to listen to each other rather than conservationists!

Connacht

Spot on Feargal. The amount of money required to bring in some Norwegian and Scottish farmers to talk and providing interpreters as required would be very small in the overall cost of the reintroduction project. Farmers listen to farmers best.

wildlifeboy

so what would you do if you saw an eagle take a sheep?
"Well boy. i'd shoot it" you FOOKIN Nonce Farmer!
so you would go to jail for a few years for a sheep..Brains to Burn that guy has!

megadodge

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

Farmers (like those Norwegian sheep farmers) educating our problem farmers might be a more effective solution. They are more likely to listen to each other rather than conservationists!

My understanding is that before the Golden Eagles were first reintroduced a member(s) of the Scottish equivalent of the IFA came over more than once to talk to the Donegal farmers.

By all accounts he allayed a lot of fears and signs by, the attitude among farmers up in Donegal seems to be far more tolerant than that in Kerry.

Birdnuts

megadodge wrote: »

My understanding is that before the Golden Eagles were first reintroduced a member(s) of the Scottish equivalent of the IFA came over more than once to talk to the Donegal farmers.

By all accounts he allayed a lot of fears and signs by, the attitude among farmers up in Donegal seems to be far more tolerant than that in Kerry.

That would be my impression as well - AFAIK the majority of the problems in Donegal were caused by one particular farmer adjacent to Glenveagh NP who I've heard is reckoned to have poisoned at least half a dozen birds before the authorities copped on to the source of the problem. He now knows he's been watched closely so hopefully that will but an end to his disgusting criminal acts. There is however ongoing problems in the North Of Sligo with a gent known as the "Ballinatrillick" poisoner among other nick names and this is a real concern given the number of sighting of Donegal Goldies in that area, not to forget the terrible fate that befell poor Conal in the same area this Spring.:(

sables2

Hi megadodge,
Let's hope that attitude among farmers spreads EVERY WHERE in the country: not just Donegal..(fair play to the farmers, they need to be given applause) We need a tolerance level on all aspects of respect - not just to raptors, but all wildlife in general. I'm delighted the Scottish F.A has come/came over and given 'us' a wake-up call.

magicbastarder

jkforde wrote: »

I passionately believe in direct action so here's the IFA contact page (Kerry's at the top), let them know what you think...

did i really hear the IFA spokesman say something along the lines of 'what's in it for us?' at one point, referring to the reintroduction program?

that made my jaw drop; the attitudes of a lot of the farmers was not surprising, albeit depressing, but i would have hoped the IFA spokesman would be a little less ignorant.

Feargal as Luimneach

magicbastarder wrote: »

did i really hear the IFA spokesman say something along the lines of 'what's in it for us?' at one point, referring to the reintroduction program?

that made my jaw drop; the attitudes of a lot of the farmers was not surprising, albeit depressing, but i would have hoped the IFA spokesman would be a little less ignorant.

AFAIK the IFA in Donegal were for the re-introductions of the Golden eagle:), but the Kerry branch were against the Sea eagle re-introduction:(.

I work with a fella whose family are from near the Killarney National park. His extended family are sheep farmers and most of them were protesting when the Sea eagle chicks first landed in Kerry.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/farmers-feathers-ruffled-as-wild-eagle-chicks-fly-in-704785.html

My work associate was talking to his uncle and his uncle said to him "The eagles were got rid of a hundred years ago and for good reason":mad:

Birdnuts

magicbastarder wrote: »

did i really hear the IFA spokesman say something along the lines of 'what's in it for us?' at one point, referring to the reintroduction program?

that made my jaw drop; the attitudes of a lot of the farmers was not surprising, albeit depressing, but i would have hoped the IFA spokesman would be a little less ignorant.

Over the years IFA spokespeople have done little to promote a positive view among the general public of farmers as regards their attitude towards conservation/environmental issues - and last night was a prime example of that:(. Which is a terrible shame since the majority of farmers I meet are very aware of their responsibilities in the area and enjoy the nature thats around them as they go about their working lives:(

Birdnuts

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

My work associate was talking to his uncle and his uncle said to him "The eagles were got rid of a hundred years ago and for good reason":mad:

No doubt the "good reason" was old wives tales of eagles lifting babies from cots:rolleyes:

Feargal as Luimneach

Birdnuts wrote: »

Over the years IFA spokespeople have done little to promote a positive view among the general public of farmers as regards their attitude towards conservation/environmental issues - and last night was a prime example of that:(. Which is a terrible shame since the majority of farmers I meet are very aware of their responsibilities in the area and enjoy the nature thats around them as they go about their working lives:(

This was from the Limerick Leader newspaper:
IFA against the Hen Harrier:mad:
'Shoot the bastards'
By PATRICIA FEEHILY



Threatened and threatening: the hen harrier

OVER 800 people attended the IFA's public meeting in Templeglantine on the Dúchas hen harrier protection plan.

It was one of the biggest meetings ever held in the area, and seldom was the mood so raptorial or so trigger-happy.

It would have been comic if it weren't so serious--serious for the farmers whose lands and livelihoods are threatened by special designation and for the bird which has been in decline since 1900 and which almost became extinct in 1954, apparently from "persecution", although the farmers claim that they lived in harmony together for generations until Dúchas appeared.

Everything was up in the air at the meeting. An attempt by Dúchas director, John Wilson to put the hen harrier in "its historic, legal and scientific context" left the farmers of West Limerick totally unimpressed.

With no real clarification of anything, they emerged from the Devon Inn threatening to "shoot the bastards".

"The hen harrier will need a rosary beads around his neck from now on," growled one of them ominously.

It seems that you'll never take the gun out of Irish politics. The EU already has the gun to the heads of the Dúchas people over the designation of SPAs . "There's a threat of court action if we don't get on with the job," Mr Wilson pleaded.

And IFA leader, John Dillon was cheered to the rafters when he told the meeting how they used to deal with birds of prey hovering over his mother's chickens in the farmyard at home when he was young.

"When this fellow appeared in the sky, the first thing we got was the gun to sort him out."

The Dúchas officials were horrified.

Mr Dillon was at his fiery best, and has banned Dúchas from the lands of West Limerick, North Cork and North Kerry until the farmers get justice and fair play. The hen harrier may yet be a party to the partnership talks, but as someone remarked at the meeting, the cost of the Government's jet fleet will be peanuts compared to the cost of keeping him in the air.

sables2

Hi. This is the typical attitude: "The eagles were got rid of a hundred years ago and for good reason".. (The Kerry farmer who you mentioned).We are NOT like the Scots or the English when it comes to animals in general - they CARE in general for their animals. Take an example of pets: Look at the woman who ditched the cat in the wheelie bin this summer in London...she was HOUNDED out of it. A media swamp and humiliation.

sables2

Hi Feargal,
Love the heading of the Limerick Leader :This was from the Limerick Leader newspaper:
IFA against the Hen Harrier
'Shoot the bastards'
By PATRICIA FEEHILY. This is Totally SICK! Shame on John Dillon and his FF cronies. It'll take some 'pen pushing'...(or money in the hand for them bunch).. for our birds of prey to survive from typical 'power lords' like Mr Dillon.

E39MSport

Watched the lastest aired episode last night (recorded).

It's quite clear to me that this country as a whole doesn't deserve those magnificent creatures gracing our skies.

Theres a deep rooted malaise on this island and we're a long long way from weeding it out.

MB Lacey

E39MSport wrote: »

Watched the lastest aired episode last night (recorded).

It's quite clear to me that this country as a whole doesn't deserve those magnificent creatures gracing our skies.

Ah that's not fair! We do deserve them, there's way more people who love to see them then don't.

Feargal - when was that article published?

sables2

E39MSport wrote: »

Watched the lastest aired episode last night (recorded).

It's quite clear to me that this country as a whole doesn't deserve those magnificent creatures gracing our skies.

Theres a deep rooted malaise on this island and we're a long long way from weeding it out.

Well put E39MSport - We DON'T deserve these raptors.(Some) Bloody idiot farmers will never learn, especially as they get older. I'm sure their view is something like: "te' hell with these 'bird huggers'...i'll show 'em".

I KNOW for a fact we'll hear soon that more birds of prey will be found in some ditch or side of a river with poisonous matter in it's carcase.

Hope to God I'm wrong....(i don't think so unfortunately) I'll eat my hat if i am!

E39MSport

MB Lacey wrote: »

Ah that's not fair! We do deserve them, there's way more people who love to see them then don't.

Feargal - when was that article published?

It's not fair on the rest of us, but until we collectively do something about the minority thats ruining it for us then it would appear to be doomed and those birds that remain will likely suffer.

Surreptitiously announcing penalties for poisoning to coincide with the RTE show is farcical.

Feargal as Luimneach

MB Lacey wrote: »

Ah that's not fair! We do deserve them, there's way more people who love to see them then don't.

Feargal - when was that article published?

http://www.birdforum.net/archive/index.php/t-3468.html
Couldn't find the exact article but pasted it from this link. I assume 2003. I do remember reading it at the time

Shortly after this episode a Hen Harrier was shot and posted to the Kerryman Newspaper. They will following John Dillon advice no doubt.
http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2003/06/07/story763750139.asp

Birdnuts

E39MSport wrote: »

Watched the lastest aired episode last night (recorded).

It's quite clear to me that this country as a whole doesn't deserve those magnificent creatures gracing our skies.

Theres a deep rooted malaise on this island and we're a long long way from weeding it out.

My impression was that rural Kerry has more then its fair share of Gombeens:( - the farmers I meet in these parts seem alot more clued in and knowledgeable about conservation issues though of course you can get bad apples anywhere that can do a totally disproportionate amount of damage in any area. Personally i thought Kerry was the wrong choice for this once those ridiculous protests started which highlighted the deep-rooted ignorance of the issues among some in the farming community there. Somewhere like the upper Shannon Lakelands may have been more suiteable!!

sables2

E39MSport wrote: »

It's not fair on the rest of us, but until we collectively do something about the minority thats ruining it for us then it would appear to be doomed and those birds that remain will likely suffer.

Surreptitiously announcing penalties for poisoning to coincide with the RTE show is farcical.

E39MSport

Your right E39MSport. It's a NO WIN fight. There has to be some kinda legislation/implementation of 'guide lines' SET down. A written contract/Co-Co between farmers and the eagle trust with farmers getting a copy to each person, sign the dotted line in agreement to stop poisoning the dead lambs/sheep or other animals within their boundaries of land. It's more 'formal' than the current legislation set down. 'Cause this current legislation is to loose and scattered.

E39MSport

Birdnuts wrote: »

My impression was that rural Kerry has more then its fair share of Gombeens:( - the farmers I meet in these parts seem alot more clued in and knowledgeable about conservation issues though of course you can get bad apples anywhere that can do a totally disproportionate amount of damage in any area. Personally i thought Kerry was the wrong choice for this once those ridiculous protests started which highlighted the deep-rooted ignorance of the issues among some in the farming community there. Somewhere like the upper Shannon Lakelands may have been more suiteable!!

Good point. One of the birds has been tracked circumnavigating the island however which means one bad apple can ultimately ruin the entire project.
What a downer.

LostCovey

E39MSport wrote: »

Good point. One of the birds has been tracked circumnavigating the island however which means one bad apple can ultimately ruin the entire project.
What a downer.

This is really a key point. These birds are released into Irish skies, they do not stay in the same parish all their life.

A Red Kite released in Wicklow was poisoned in Dromahair, Co Leitrim. A Golden Eagle hatched in north Donegal was poisoned on the back of Ben Bulben, Co Sligo. A White-tailed Eagle released in Co. Kerry was shot dead on Lough Neagh, in Co Armagh.

And fair play to Crossing The Line Films, what a fantastic documentary series. So proud to see an Irish film company making something of this quality. More power to them.

LostCovey

LostCovey

sables2

E39MSport wrote: »

Good point. One of the birds has been tracked circumnavigating the island however which means one bad apple can ultimately ruin the entire project.
What a downer.

Well said. One bad apple...ehhh!! seems we CAN'T afford that 'bad apple' - unlike a tree which produces 100,000's!
Long live this re-introduction

Feargal as Luimneach

A good review of the golden eagle re-introduction in Donegal:
I

http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/scottish/IrishGoldenEagleProject.pdf

Review of Irish Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project:

donation of Scottish birds under licence issued by SNH

The Review Group notes that the indicator of successful establishment was
based on a minimum 40% pre-breeding survival figure, which Whitfield et al
(2006; see Annex 2) specified as the lower limit for a population to achieve
favourable conservation status. The actual number of pairs established (7 pairs
in 2007, and 6 pairs in 2008) closely matches the predicted number based on
40% pre-breeding survival estimate (6 pairs in 2007, and 8 pairs in 2008),
suggesting that the reintroduction is on track to meet its aims.
To date five released birds are known to have died (one poisoned, the others
dying naturally) and the Project team considers that a minimum of 15-20 birds
are still alive (see Annex 3). TheGroup Review concludes that the project

appears to be on track to meet its aims for population re-establishment.


Edit: This report from april 2009 not from 2010

sables2

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

A good review of the golden eagle re-introduction in Donegal:
I

http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/scottish/IrishGoldenEagleProject.pdf

Review of Irish Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project:

donation of Scottish birds under licence issued by SNH

The Review Group notes that the indicator of successful establishment was
based on a minimum 40% pre-breeding survival figure, which Whitfield et al
(2006; see Annex 2) specified as the lower limit for a population to achieve
favourable conservation status. The actual number of pairs established (7 pairs
in 2007, and 6 pairs in 2008) closely matches the predicted number based on
40% pre-breeding survival estimate (6 pairs in 2007, and 8 pairs in 2008),
suggesting that the reintroduction is on track to meet its aims.
To date five released birds are known to have died (one poisoned, the others
dying naturally) and the Project team considers that a minimum of 15-20 birds
are still alive (see Annex 3).

TheGroup Review concludes that the project

appears to be on track to meet its aims for population re-establishment.


Edit: This report from april 2009 not from 2010

Hi Feargal. Look like a very detailed 'Review of the golden eagle re-introduction project'. Can't wait to read it. Thanks

bogtreader

The Norwegian ambassador was on Mooney goes wild on Friday
He said they were still going continue to supply White tailed sea eagles to
that project the interview is available as a podcast
www.rte.ie/radio1/podcast/podcast_mooney.xml
Hopefully the link will work sorry if not just go to www.rte.ie/mooney
podcasts is on the left
Is it true that John Gormley has put the banning of poisoning on the statue books?

Birdnuts

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

A good review of the golden eagle re-introduction in Donegal:
I

http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/scottish/IrishGoldenEagleProject.pdf

Review of Irish Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project:

donation of Scottish birds under licence issued by SNH

The Review Group notes that the indicator of successful establishment was
based on a minimum 40% pre-breeding survival figure, which Whitfield et al
(2006; see Annex 2) specified as the lower limit for a population to achieve
favourable conservation status. The actual number of pairs established (7 pairs
in 2007, and 6 pairs in 2008) closely matches the predicted number based on
40% pre-breeding survival estimate (6 pairs in 2007, and 8 pairs in 2008),
suggesting that the reintroduction is on track to meet its aims.
To date five released birds are known to have died (one poisoned, the others
dying naturally) and the Project team considers that a minimum of 15-20 birds
are still alive (see Annex 3). TheGroup Review concludes that the project

appears to be on track to meet its aims for population re-establishment.


Edit: This report from april 2009 not from 2010

It can't be judged a total success though for at least another 10-15 years

E39MSport

Birdnuts wrote: »

It can't be judged a total success though for at least another 10-15 years

With you there.

sables2

bogtreader wrote: »

The Norwegian ambassador was on Mooney goes wild on Friday
He said they were still going continue to supply White tailed sea eagles to
that project the interview is available as a podcast
www.rte.ie/radio1/podcast/podcast_mooney.xml
Hopefully the link will work sorry if not just go to www.rte.ie/mooney
podcasts is on the left
Is it true that John Gormley has put the banning of poisoning on the statue books?

Hi bogtreader. I was birding when The Mooney show was on!....(how ironic- as he was talking birds too!) It's SO exciting to hear that the Norwegian ambassador said: White tailed sea eagles are 'still' going to be supplied.Your correct about the:banning of poisoning by John Gormley. I think it will still happen mind you. Let's NOT kid ourselves. I hate been pessimistic. I think we can ALL be hopeful for our birds of prey. Our young people...(25 up) can instil this message on again to their children/friends also. (God Bless The Eagle Trust)

Feargal as Luimneach

Birdnuts wrote: »

It can't be judged a total success though for at least another 10-15 years

You're probably correct, maybe I'm being too optimistic.

bogtreader

It will take a while to change the mind set Fingers crossed not to many birds of prey fall victim to poisoning.

sables2

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

You're probably correct, maybe I'm being too optimistic.

Hi Feargal. Your not too optimistic...your been 'positive': we need it. I think We need to produce a sizeable eagle population/or pair's...(and other raptors too) year on year to sustain and have a relative growth, so there's enough hens. I believe the birds/cocks have better all round life spans...(correct me..) God forbid, if one hen dies..for what ever reason, there will be another round the corner, so to speak, to lay, and hopefully her eggs will hatch and chick's will grow. It's a 'probable' fairy tale.

recedite

What a lot of people fail to realise is that in the spring lambing season of 2010 it was legal to leave out poisoned carcasses, on open hillsides, where the raptors would naturally find them. From now on this practice is illegal. We are one of the last euro countries to ban it, but better late than never.

The new law can be found here;
http://www.environ.ie/en/Heritage/NationalParksandWildlife/RHLegislation/FileDownLoad,24240,en.pdf

Relevant bit is on page 5;

"Prohibition of use of certain poisoned bait
4. (1) A person shall not place, cause to be placed or permit to be placed or
have with him or her any poisoned or anaesthetic bait that is animal or contains animal substance or other animal derivative in any place to capture, kill, poison, stupefy, anaesthetise, harm or injure or where it is likely to capture, kill, poison, stupefy, anaesthetise, harm or injure:
(i) any species referred to in Article 1 of the Birds Directive, or

(ii) any species of wild fauna listed in Annexes IV

Habitats Directive, except in accordance with a licence."

My own interpretation of the above is that the poisoners will still put bait out for foxes, but they will have to cover it or hide it, and this will make all the difference to the survival of the raptors.

sables2

recedite wrote: »

What a lot of people fail to realise is that in the spring lambing season of 2010 it was legal to leave out poisoned carcasses, on open hillsides, where the raptors would naturally find them. From now on this practice is illegal. We are one of the last euro countries to ban it, but better late than never.

The new law can be found here;
http://www.environ.ie/en/Heritage/NationalParksandWildlife/RHLegislation/FileDownLoad,24240,en.pdf

Relevant bit is on page 5;

"Prohibition of use of certain poisoned bait
4. (1) A person shall not place, cause to be placed or permit to be placed or
have with him or her any poisoned or anaesthetic bait that is animal or contains animal substance or other animal derivative in any place to capture, kill, poison, stupefy, anaesthetise, harm or injure or where it is likely to capture, kill, poison, stupefy, anaesthetise, harm or injure:
(i) any species referred to in Article 1 of the Birds Directive, or

(ii) any species of wild fauna listed in Annexes IV

Habitats Directive, except in accordance with a licence."

My own interpretation of the above is that the poisoners will still put bait out for foxes, but they will have to cover it or hide it, and this will make all the difference to the survival of the raptors.

Hi recedite,
That's interesting: the only country in the Euro zone to introduce the laws ONLY NOW! Emmm...isn't that saying a lot of Ireland and it's policies?? We are a joke..PERIOD! I'm sure the Norwegians are have a right 'ole laugh at us - seriously. The new banning law is very informative and thoughtful, but, now ENFORCING it stringently is an other ball game entirely! God Bless the Eagle Trust.

fryup

did any of you watch yesterday's progamme...they were hand feeding a poisoned eagle at the start but they didn't update on his condition...did he survive?

Hells Belle

fryup wrote: »

did any of you watch yesterday's progamme...they were hand feeding a poisoned eagle at the start but they didn't update on his condition...did he survive?

He did, the little guy was let go a few days (4?) later, they put him down on the grass and he took a few steps and flew off, twas lovely

The little golden eagle chick that was taken out of the nest didn't survive though.

Feargal as Luimneach

fryup wrote: »

did any of you watch yesterday's progamme...they were hand feeding a poisoned eagle at the start but they didn't update on his condition...did he survive?

You can see the whole programm on rté player. Here's the link:
http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1083931

Was heartbreaking to see Conall lying dead (murdered) on the side of the hill. The bastard who did that to him should be poisoned with the same stuff he/she used on Conall. What's makes it worse was that Conall was Irish, he wasn't a Scottish Bird.:(

Still there was alot of hope in the Programm. 12 Irish Red kites now in Wicklow and 3 more Irish Golden Eagles in Donegal. Sea Eagles reaching maturity and the chance of Irish Sea Eagle chicks next year.:)

Rainbowsend

It was a good series, but I would have liked to have seen it in one programme with all the repeated bits cut out, the first half of each episode was taken up with repeating what had happened the week before, but I did enjoy it.

sables2

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

You can see the whole programm on rté player. Here's the link:
http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1083931

Was heartbreaking to see Conall lying dead (murdered) on the side of the hill. The bastard who did that to him should be poisoned with the same stuff he/she used on Conall. What's makes it worse was that Conall was Irish, he wasn't a Scottish Bird.:(

Still there was alot of hope in the Programm. 12 Irish Red kites now in Wicklow and 3 more Irish Golden Eagles in Donegal. Sea Eagles reaching maturity and the chance of Irish Sea Eagle chicks next year.:)

I fully empathise with you Feargal: The bird (conall) was found at the hillside. He HAD to have been poisoned deliberately as farmers used poison indiscriminately around that area - no doubt. I've a feeling conall died a slow agonising death on that frozen wasteland. That farmer KNOWS who he/(she?) is: NO QUESTION! I was 'gutted' when i saw Lorcan holding conall, I'm sure he shed a tear or two after the filming. These fu****s should be hung out to dry...i'm not the better for watching it. Mind you - after seeing the poisoned eagle recover and fly off was breath taking. the vet in question is a 'genius'. Also, when the lads found the Red Kite chicks high up in the nest was a sight for sore eyes, it made you feel: it was all worth it. Pity the programme is finished. God Bless the Eagle Trust.

littlebug

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

You can see the whole programm on rté player. Here's the link:
http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1083931

I've been working when these were on so missed them so thanks for the link. I just watched the last one. Fantastic programme. I'll watch the others through the week. I'm glad I watched the last one first as there is a real sense of optimism at the end.