Contract Award Provision of wardening and monitoring services on Rockabill, Co. Dublin

Tender description

The Contract has been awarded to Birdwatch Ireland. Article 10 of Directive 2009/147/EC instructs Member States to encourage research and any work required as a basis for the protection, management and use of the populations of wild birds. Particular attention is to be paid to research and work on the subjects listed in Annex V of the directive which include “ecological description of areas particularly important to migratory species on their migratory routes and as wintering and nesting grounds” and “data on the population levels of migratory species as shown by ringing.” Article four directs Member States to take appropriate steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any significant disturbances affecting the breeding birds. Breeding terns and other breeding seabirds can be susceptible to anthropogenic disturbances and as this colony is located in close proximity to highly populated areas a wardening programme was initiated in 1989. This initiative has been maintained on an annual basis ever since (Burke et al 2014). The main objectives are to protect and monitor the breeding seabirds on Rockabill SPA, in particular to manage their nesting habitat and to minimise disturbance throughout the season. The project also aims to continue research on the breeding biology, feeding ecology and population dynamics of the terns, in particular the Roseate Tern, to improve future conservation actions for these priority species