October 10, 2012
Ireland

Hen harriers have wind beneath their wings

By Leah McDonald | Irish Daily Mail | 10 October 2012

The humble hen harrier is flying in the face of plans to erect wind turbines in a scenic enclave in Kerry.

Council officials are set to block the future development of a wind farm in the Stack’s Mountain area which is home to the protected bird species.

The serene North East Kerry upland area already has a large concentration of wind turbines.

And despite the county having Ireland’s best wind energy resources, a Kerry County Council spokesman [said] a vote against the development of turbines in the area is being considered because of issues such as its scenic beauty and tourism potential.

The section from the Stack’s Mountain to the Mullaghareirk Mountains is a designated special protection area for the conservation of the hen harrier, a rare breed of hawk and a protected species here under European law.

The upland site is also home to a number of the rare birds of prey that are at risk due to a decline in breeding pairs and a loss in quality moorland habitat.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/10/hen-harriers-have-wind-beneath-their-wings/