Rare birds shot in Kilkee

Kilrush gardaí are investigating recent incidents in the Kilkee area where three rare birds have been shot, two of which subsequently died.

Last Saturday, a peregrine falcon was treated by Kilkee veterinary surgeon Fergal Hennessy for a bullet wound to its left shoulder, which had become infected and maggot infested. The bird appeared to have been responding to treatment but subsequently died, as it wasn’t eating properly.
The peregrine is a large and powerful falcon. It has long, broad, pointed wings and a relatively short tail. It is blue-grey above, with a blackish top of the head and a black ‘moustache’ that contrasts with its white face
This is the third raptor (bird of prey) to have been taken to the vet in Kilkee, bearing similar injuries, within the last six weeks. The other birds shot recently were a kestrel and a sparrow hawk. The kestrel also died while the sparrow hawk recovered and has since been released.
The matter was raised at Monday’s meeting of Kilkee Civic Trust.
“The civic trust is appalled that these rare and beautiful birds are being targeted by somebody with a .22 rifle. Somebody in the Kilkee area knows something about it,” Tom Byrne, Kilkee Civic Trust, told The Clare Champion on Wednesday.
“This is an appalling situation and people need to be made aware that this is going on and needs to be stopped,” he added.