ONE of Northern Ireland’s most important breeding sites for wader species is under threat unless long-term action is taken to protect them, a report has warned.
Hare Island, situated on Lower Lough Erne, is home to an abundance of wader species, including redshank, snipe, lapwing and curlew.
However, these birds are strongly reliant on the island’s wetland and grassland for nesting, and their populations are sensitive to changes in habitat, water availability and disturbance.
And while, for now, Hare Island is currently in “favourable condition”, several emerging threats have the potential to degrade these bird’s habitat if not addressed.
The Hare Island ASSI Condition Assessment Reporter (2022) sounds an alarm on the impact of invasive plant species, changes in grazing, and disruption from climatic shifts.
The author of the report warned that these "fast-emerging threats" must be dealt with promptly if Hare Island can continue to thrive as an ecological site, especially for waders,
“Hare Island is one of Northern Ireland’s most important breeding sites for wader species, including redshank, snipe, lapwing and curlew”, the report reads.
“The report highlights the importance of maintaining the wet soil conditions that are crucial for wader breeding success.
“Any significant change in water management, grazing or habitat structure could affect the abundance of invertebrates and other food sources that breeding birds rely on.
“Additionally, the island’s status as relatively free from disturbance and predation is key to maintaining the density of wader nests, which at over 2 per hectare, is among the highest in Northern Ireland.”
A number of key threats to the Hare Island Habitat have been identified, including the encroachment of invasive Alder along the shore into grassland areas.
Alder is a fast-growing tree species, and its spread could alter the structure of the habitat, particularly by shading out native grassland species and changing soil composition through increased nitrogen outputs.
While the current grazing regime on Hare Island is described as appropriate for maintaining the habitat’s condition, both overgrazing and undergrazing also present potential future risks.
Grazing is essential for maintaining the structure of the Purple Moor-grass and rush pastures, which are key habitat types on the island.
However, grazing needs to be carefully managed.
Overgrazing, the report warns, could lead to the degradation of sward structures and reduce species diversity, particularly in areas where the soil is wetter and more vulnerable to poaching.
Crucially, tightly grazed sward could “negatively affect” the availability of cover for breeding waters, which is described as “one of the island’s most important ecological functions.”
Undergrazing, on the other hand, also poses a threat.
Primarily, creeping thistle could spread more easily if pasture is under grazed, and this weed was identified in 2022 as a species that requires “monitoring and control” to prevent it from dominating Hare Island.
The report warns: “If left unchecked, it could reduce the diversity of native plant species and degrade the overall quality of the habitat.
"Hare Island’s grassland is particularly vulnerable to nutrient inputs, which can disrupt the ecological balance by favouring fast-growing species at the expense of slow-growing, native species.”
The introduction of nutrients from grazing animals and agricultural run-off can lead to an increase in species such as Yorkshire Fog, which are less valuable to biodiversity when compared to the wildflowers, sedges and rushes that naturally occur in the Purple-Moor grass and rush habitats.
The report advises against any additional nutrient inputs to the site, and recommends ongoing monitoring of the sward composition to ensure no further degradation occurs.
Hydrologic shifts, including climatic shifts, also pose a threat on Hare Island.
The wet grasslands and fen meadows are heavily influenced by the island’s topography, and changes in water flow or soil moisture levels could significantly alter the composition of these habitats.
Present species on the island, including rare and sensitive Meadow Thistle, Lesser Spearwort and Devil’s-but Scabious, all rely on the current environmental conditions
The report warns that "any disruption of the hydrological system, whether through climatic shifts, changes in land management, or human interference, could lead to a loss of these species-rich grasslands.
“It is essential to maintain the current water management practices to ensure the continued flow of water through the soil, supporting the species that thrive in this environment.”
Several management actions are suggested to safeguard the island’s habitat, including maintaining current grazing levels, monitoring invasive species, protecting wader populations, and limiting nutrient outputs.
“By maintaining current management practices and addressing emerging threats promptly, Hare Island can continue to thrive as a valuable ecological site within the Fermanagh region”, the report concludes.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here