The Golden Eagle Trust is delighted to announce that its Hawk Eyes – Satellite Tracking of Red Kites and Buzzards in Ireland project has been awarded funding from The Heritage Council under the Community Heritage Grant Scheme. This vital support will enable groundbreaking conservation work aimed at protecting two of Ireland’s most iconic birds of prey.
Through GPS satellite tracking, the project will monitor the movements, habitat use, and survival of red kites and common buzzards across key regions including Wicklow, Fingal, and Northern Ireland. The initiative seeks to identify breeding and roosting sites, assess threats such as illegal persecution and poisoning, and strengthen conservation efforts through data-driven habitat management and public education.
The project is made possible through a collaborative partnership between the Golden Eagle Trust, the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group, and with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Fingal County Council. The project also benefits from a complementary grant by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), which has funded GPS tags for the Northern Ireland parts of the project.
“We’re incredibly grateful for this support from The Heritage Council,” said Dr Marc Ruddock, project manager. “This funding comes at a critical time, as we mark over 15 years since red kite reintroduction in Ireland. Our ability to track these birds in real time will greatly enhance our understanding and protection of their populations.”
The project will involve the deployment of 10 satellite tags on red kites and buzzards, daily monitoring of the tracked birds to enable rapid response to mortalities, community engagement through school visits, guided walks, exhibitions, and Heritage Week events, and access for the team to live tracking data via an interactive online platform.
Using sustainable technology such as solar-powered GPS-GSM tags, the project also contributes to climate action and biodiversity goals. By making the data widely accessible and involving citizens in conservation activities, Hawk Eyes aims to foster a shared sense of heritage and responsibility for Ireland’s raptor populations.
For more information follow: @RedKitesIreland and @NIRSG
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