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Concern after 15 swans killed by power lines in Co Donegal

At least 15 of the migratory birds have died at power lines in Carrigans in the northern county in recent times.

shutterstock_553387348 File photo of a whooper swan Shutterstock / Wang LiQiang Shutterstock / Wang LiQiang / Wang LiQiang

CONCERN HAS BEEN expressed locally in Co Donegal after a number of swans were electrocuted by power lines in recent times.

Birdwatch Ireland has expressed its ‘extreme concern’ at the deaths of 15 whooper swans at the same spot near the village of Carrigans.

The migrating birds were killed in the last number of months, a representative for the group confirmed.

Most of the birds that died were juveniles, just a few months in age.

Whooper swans migrate to Ireland in autumn from their nesting grounds in Iceland.

“It is very concerning that these migratory whooper swans have been electrocuted in Carrigans, especially in such large numbers,” said Birdwatch Ireland’s Niall Hatch.

DANIEL An adult whooper swan which died after being electrocuted by power lines in Carrigans, Co Donegal Daniel Moloney / BirdWatch Ireland Daniel Moloney / BirdWatch Ireland / BirdWatch Ireland

Ireland hosts internationally important numbers of whooper swans each autumn and winter, and it has a special responsibility to conserve and protect them.

“We sincerely hope that measures can be put in place to prevent further swan deaths as soon as possible,” he said.

Roughly 700 such swans were present earlier today feeding in a field adjacent to the power lines in question.

Birdwatch Ireland says it has contacted the ESB with a view to having further preventative measures installed to aid swans in flight in distinguishing the power lines from the horizon.

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17 Comments
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    Mute Elaine
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:10 PM

    The stock photo used is not a whooper swan. For photos and information on whooper swan please go to http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/IrelandsBirds/Swans/WhooperSwan/tabid/151/Default.aspx

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    Mute Michael Mcshane
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    Nov 11th 2017, 12:41 AM

    @Elaine: the journal just can’t even get the simplest of things right…couldn’t even google the proper picture, I love to see the whooper swan in winter there is a lake with a long meadow near me and the return to it every year, a wonderful sight :)

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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:50 PM

    Migrating over here….and stealing our power lines. They’ve some neck all the same.

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    Mute Appaddy
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    Nov 11th 2017, 12:02 AM

    @Tweed Cap: brilliant- how dare they cannot they take a joke

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    Mute Dave.
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    Nov 11th 2017, 1:34 AM

    @Tweed Cap: The Ethnic Minority might have a thing or two to teach them how you really do it, amateur hour getting electrocuted.

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    Mute Dave Sherman
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    Nov 11th 2017, 12:04 AM

    Does Paul Murphy know about this?

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:06 PM

    I doubt they were electrocuted..

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    Mute Noel James Doherty
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:38 PM

    @William Grogan: what are you saying poison?

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    Mute Big bad bull
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    Nov 11th 2017, 1:38 AM

    @Noel James Doherty: he must be related some ways…..

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    Mute tom McCormack
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    Nov 11th 2017, 7:45 AM

    The electricity should be switched off while swans are in the area. Ireland should welcome all migrant ..birds.

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    Mute brian mclaughlin
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    Nov 11th 2017, 5:44 PM

    Some constructive comments The majority were of an uneducated nature. Why waste your time and energy If you cannot be construtive?

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    Mute Pizyco
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:03 PM

    sad-black swan event.

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    Mute eastsmer
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    Nov 11th 2017, 3:32 PM

    Bury all power lines

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    Mute Dave barrett
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    Nov 11th 2017, 9:04 AM

    Whats all the flap about!

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    Mute Faustina O Farrell
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    Nov 11th 2017, 9:05 AM

    More nonsense.

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    Mute Appaddy
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    Nov 10th 2017, 11:50 PM

    Can they not take a joke

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    Mute Patrick J. O'Rourke
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    Nov 11th 2017, 11:30 AM

    The solution is a very simple device and you will see it all the time if you look up.

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