Canary In the Coal Mine

New research suggests Irish bird populations have seen dramatic declines across the country. In the last 20 years we have lost almost 40% of our wintering water birds and more than 80% of our breeding waders such as the Curlew, Redshank, and Dunlin. If the declines continue at this rate, some of Ireland’s most iconic birds could be extinct here within just 30 years. This episode will see ecologist Anja Murray investigate the reasons behind this alarming decline, and what, if anything can be done to slow or stop the falling numbers? Anja starts her journey with some enthusiastic young bird watchers on Cape Clear Island off the coast of County Cork, home to the longest running bird observatory in Ireland. Bird populations here are in decline even in this beautiful and remote birding paradise. Anja will meet with researchers behind the most recent monumental studies to  learn more about these alarming trends. One person trying to halt the decline is Roscommon farmer, Padraig Corcoran who’s farming with nature practices could provide a cross country solution to get back to our once biodiversity rich farmland.