Tipperary is leading the way in Barn Owl conservation

Tipperary is leading the way in the conservation of the Barn Owl population, a Councillor told a recent meeting.

Cllr Michael O'Meara pointed out during a monthly meeting of Nenagh Municipal District that, to the best of his knowledge, no other county in Ireland was doing as much work to save this wonderful bird from extinction and to increase its population. “It is a great testament to Tipperary County Council that we are the leading local authority in the country in this matter.”

He pointed out that 25 Barn Owl boxes have been erected in Nenagh Municipal District so far and he congratulated Ann Marie Fleming, the county's Biodiversity Officer, for leading the way in this project.

He said there are now 10 nesting pairs in the District. “In truth, in terms of nesting pairs,” he remarked, “it's not been a great year. We had a very bad, wet spring.”

He said the Barn Owl is still on the endangered species list. He encouraged people living in rural areas to put up Barn Owl boxes on their land and he pointed out that the number of farmers using rat poison has decreased significantly.

Cllr John Carroll echoed Cllr O'Meara's comments, adding that the work done on Cabragh Wetlands near Thurles has also been exemplary. “Well done to Ann Marie Fleming and the other staff,” said Cllr Carroll. “They are very dedicated and decent people in the Council staff, who are working diligently to improve our natural and built heritage, to improve our biodiversity.”

Cllr Seamus Morris agreed. However, he also highlighted the deteriorating condition of many rivers and streams in North Tipperary.

Ann Marie Fleming told Cllr Morris that the LAWPRO (Local Authority Waters Programme) Community Water Officer is working hard at improving the water quality of the county's rivers and streams.

Ms Fleming said she is always willing to help regarding matters of biodiversity in the county and people with biodiversity concerns can email her. She added that during a recent talk John Lusby of Birdwatch Ireland told the attendees that Barn Owls in Tipperary “are doing a lot better than they were, which was great to hear.” Her email is annmarie.fleming@tipperarycoco.ie.

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