Heather Burning Season Ends on 15 April

Heather burning is a very useful management tool. It encourages fresh new growth to sprout from existing heather plants, removes dead material and recycles nutrients.

However under the Game Preservation Act it is illegal to burn heather, gorse or fern between the 15 April and 31 August.

From 1 January 2005 under the new Single Farm Payment Cross-Compliance requirements, heather burning must be only completed within the legal burning period. Burning during the closed season has implications for farmers who wish to qualify for the Single Farm Payment.

This closed season is essential to protect moorland habitats, which are home to wildlife such as ground nesting birds including skylark and curlew. It also prevents damage to sensitive vegetation often found only on peatland sites.

Red grouse are now very scarce in our uplands. The Northern Ireland grouse survey carried out by the Environment and Heritage Service in 2004, recorded only 202 pairs. The decline of these birds is mainly attributed to predation, the loss of heather due to overgrazing by sheep or a lack of management of heather (by burning / flailing).

Grouse are almost completely dependent on heather for food and shelter. They need tall heather to conceal their nests but prefer to feed on the tender shoots of young heather. Other birds such as curlew and snipe depend on areas of open moorland for nesting, while birds of prey such as the hen harrier and the merlin hunt over areas of moorland. Mammals such as the Irish hare, stoats, badgers and otters also use heather moorland.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) offers payments for positive management of heather moorland as part of its agri-environment schemes, namely the Countryside Management Scheme and the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme. Many hill farmers have already taken advantage of what these schemes can offer and to date over 40,000 hectares of heather moorland have been brought under agreement. Monitoring work carried out by Queen's University, Belfast has shown that where heather moorland is positively managed under the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme, there has been an increase in heather cover while maintaining the diversity of wildlife.

For advice on heather management or agri-environment schemes contact your local DARD Countryside Management staff.