Last year there was a great buzz about the place as a pair of WTE had successfully breed on Lough Derg on the Tipperary/Clare border. And given the fact the female bird abandoned the nest after the chicks hatched, the male did a great job of raring the young birds on his own. When both chick fledged it was amazing, the first wild White-tailed Eagles in over a hundred years were now ready to explore this little island of ours. But like many of the captive birds released during this re-introduction their path was paved with peril and danger. This comes for a small group of ignorant and thick idiots who believe these birds will kill all their lambs and sheep. So it come as no surprise to me that one of the chicks was found dead today. It was shot and left to die a cold and lonely death as the bird was badly injured but not killed out right by the person/s who shot it. I have attached a link to the story that broke on RTE News today. Please have a read and voice your concerns to our Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan. The culprit must be caught and punished to the full extent of the law if the rest of these birds are to have any hope of been safe in our skies.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0305/600355-white-tailed-eagle-tipperary/
One of the Kerry birds I had not so long ago.
