Fears for falcons after poisoning attempt

CLIMBERS and walkers who enjoy the Killiney Hill/Dalkey Quarry area have been urged to help protect peregrine falcons nesting in the quarry.

The birds, which are on a ledge in the quarry, have four chicks nesting.

However, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said a walker had noticed two tethered pigeons flapping in the vicinity of the nest recently.

The pigeons, whose wings had been clipped to disable them, had been attached to ground stakes and had a wet substance on their neck.

It is believed that they were laced with a poison in a deliberate attempt to kill the breeding falcons.

“Peregrines eat live prey and would have been attracted to the pigeons by their wings flapping as they attempted to escape their tethers,

? a spokesperson said.

“Thankfully, in this instance, the pigeons were removed and the falcons survived this attempt. It is likely that further attempts may be made to interfere with the birds.

The NPWS and the Parks Department in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council are calling on the public who use the park to remain vigilant and report any similar incidents.