A PLAN to save the Irish red grouse which would involve moving stock from Co Wicklow to areas where the bird’s isolation has led to it becoming “genetically bottlenecked” has been put forward.
The bird was recently identified as a distinctly Irish bird genetically. The plan, drawn up by the Grey Partridge Conservation Trust, urged a ban on the import of grouse from outside the island to protect its future.
Despite the dramatic fall in numbers, the report said the red grouse should not be placed on a list of protected birds which cannot be hunted, but where hunting occurs it must be done in a sustainable way.
The plan, drawn up taking account of the views of other NGOs and Government departments, calls for a national survey of remaining red grouse habitats be undertaken to assess the viability for their restoration.
It calls for the re-establishment of habitat corridors which would reconnect isolated populations and said this should be a priority in the action plan, which was delivered recently. It also calls for the setting up of a National Red Grouse Conservation project which would involve the National Parks and Wildlife Service making a significant amount of land available. “This conservation policy should be guided by scientific reasoning and common sense.” it said.
Controversially, it goes on to say “every effort should be made to discourage the release into Ireland of imported red grouse from the UK”, adding red grouse from Wicklow and other locations where harvestable surpluses are produced should be used as source populations for projects aiming to prevent the extinction of regional and local red grouse populations.
This should only be done where there are projects engaged in management plans underpinned by scientific research. “Red grouse are a species deserving of their place in our natural and sporting heritage. We all have a role to play – this was demonstrated by the support this study received from red grouse enthusiasts from all walks of life,” said the plan’s summary.