SPA Ornithology Monitoring

Tender description

As part of an ongoing programme involving the preparation and presentation of reports in support of Appropriate Assessments in Natura 2000 sites and in response to proposed mitigation measures of aquaculture activities (see Background to Tender above), the Marine Institute has been tasked by its parent department, The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to engage in a work programme as follows: 1. This programme will focus on systematic monitoring of bird distribution on Whitehouse Bank (Dungarvan Harbour), specifically in response to a management action to create a single 400m buffer zone among oyster trestle culture sites which was created as a consequence of mitigation recommendations following appropriate assessment of aquaculture in Dungarvan Harbour, Co. Waterford. The programme requires contractors to conduct a series of tidal cycle monitoring focusing specifically on Grey Plover and Dunlin use of the tidal break/corridor. Incidental use of the ‘break/corridor’ by other bird species should also be documented. The monitoring regime should target two monitoring days per month, during neap and spring low tide. Each monitoring event should cover the full duration of exposure of Whitehouse Bank. 2. Monitoring to include the period September 2017 to March 2018, inclusive. 3. Prepare a report identifying site-use by the aforementioned species providing a commentary on the effectiveness of the management measure specifically as it relates to species distribution at the site. Full details are available in the attached Invitation to Tender document.