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2nd August 2011 • Volume 18, Issue 21 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • ISDN 8139966 • Tel: 8•400•200
Welcome Return Of Red Kites To North County A
momentous occasion took place last week, with the release of 26 red kites in Newbridge House. After an absence of several hundred years, red kites will soon be gliding over the fields and woods across the North County. Minister for the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., released the first batch of birds from aviaries in a secluded wood within the demesne.
By Patrick Finnegan The kites, which were collected under licence from wild nests in Wales were released in the public park and a further 13 young kites will be released shortly from a private location in the north of the county. In order to maximise the potential for an expanding Red Kite population in Ireland, it was decided to release 39 red kites in the North County area and establish a satellite population half way between the red kite populations in County Wicklow and County Down. It is expected that this project will be a welcome addition to the rich and varied natural heritage in North County Dublin and that sightings of these graceful and colourful birds will further enhance the local community’s appreciation of their nearby amenities and wildlife. All the kites released here and also those released in Down and Wicklow over the years have been sourced in Wales from wild young kites. “I have great hopes that the release of these red kites here today, will lead to a situation in a number of years where we will have a viable, sustainable and enjoyable population
of red kites,” said Minister Deenihan. Mr Hans Visser, Biodiversity Officer, stated that “the County Council are very happy to work with the Golden Eagle Trust and facilitate the Red Kite project at Newbridge Demesne and the restoration of this majestic bird to our countryside”. The project has been supported by representatives of the local Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and the National Association for Regional Game Councils (NARGC). All the birds were attached with a small radio transmitter, each with a
Pictured are three of the red kites, complete with radio transmitters, just prior to their release at Newbridge House last week.
Metro Decision Soon Residents of the North County will not have long to wait for the decision of the Metro North project going ahead. The decision will be revealed next month. Excitement has been building over the past few weeks as residents and business owners alike await a positive outcome. This outcome will bring commercial life to our region, not
By Kieran Dunne only in Swords but to the entire North County. There are many positive reasons why the Metro North should absolutely go ahead, all of which were published in past editions of the County Leader. Speaking to the County Leader, Lorraine Sutton
from the Swords Community Council says that the council continue to push harder than ever to ensure the project will go ahead: “The project is vital for Swords and everyone in the North County and absolutely must go ahead,” she said.
Racers Jack Hickey and Rob Thunder are pictured at the Balbriggan Formula Fun Day. See special report pages 10 & 11
unique frequency, and small PVC wing tags. These devices allow the project team and the public to locate and identify each individual bird. It was decided at the outset to release the birds in or near to busy public parks, even though this may have run the risk of the birds being disturbed or found during the very sensitive captive phase. The Golden Eagle Trust would like to reassure the people of the North County that now that the birds have been released, they intend to open the Red Kite project up to the public and their local media as much as possible by regular media updates, educational activities, project website reports and public talks. North County Dublin and adjoining counties offers ideal red kite foraging and breeding habitat. Red Kites primarily feed in farmland areas and nest in mature trees. Experience amongst the farming and shooting interests in Wales over the last century prove that the rather light weight kite is not a threat to livestock or game birds.
Pressure will continue to be placed on local minister Leo Varadkar, who will ultimately decide whether this vital project goes through or not. Cllr Coppinger (SP) said: “We would like to meet with the Minister to really emphasise our case for the Metro North. We will be looking to put across the point of the project being a good economic investment and will be also reminding
him of his pre-election promise to have Metro North delivered, a feature of his campaign poster.” The Metro North will create an initial 6,000 jobs- 4,000 in the construction phase with 2,000 indirect jobs following. According to the economic plan for the project, a further 25,000 to 37,000 jobs will then be created locally over the next decade.
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