RTÉ - Living the Wildlife - Irish Grey Partridge Conservation Trust - Part 1

Series 4: Grey Partridge

Some may say that big Irish families are a thing of the past, but nobody has told the Grey Partridge. With up to 25 chicks they have one of the biggest families in the bird world. This didn't keep them from becoming the rarest resident bird in the country. By 2002 there were only 7 pairs left in Ireland. Changing farm practices and over zealous shooting meant the grey partridge was on the verge of extinction. The NPWS and the Irish Grey Partridge Conservation Trust decided to do something about this and the result was one of the most successful conservation projects in Europe. Kieran Buckley is the project manager and he has an eclectic crew helping him with his daily work. Colin goes along to meet the team and we follow their work for a breeding season. Some really amazing things happen where orphaned partridge chicks are fostered by a bantam hen and the Minister for The Environment John Gormley arrives to release some birds back in to the wild. As a result of the conservation project the Boora Parklands are a treasure trove of different birds and animals and Colin gets his camera out to show us.


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