Nest protection for the Slieve Beagh SPA (ROI) and Slieve Beagh - Mullaghfad – Lisnaskea SPA (NI)

Tender description

The Collaborative Action for the Natura Network (CANN) is an INTERREG VA funded project led by Newry, Mourne & Down District Council. The consortium also consists of: the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI); Argyll & the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust; Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council; East Border Region, Golden Eagle Trust; the Institute of Technology Sligo; Monaghan County Council; Scottish Natural Heritage; Ulster University and Ulster Wildlife. The project aims to strengthen cross-border co-operation to facilitate the recovery of selected habitats and priority species and meet the targets of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and the EU Biodiversity Strategy. This will be achieved through development of Conservation Action Plans/Species Action Plans, direct conservation work at protected sites, development of best practice guidance and, communication and outreach programmes. The protected habitats as prioritised through INTERREG VA include alkaline fens, blanket bog, active raised bog, marl lakes, calcareous fens and transition mires/quaking bogs. The priority species include white-clawed crayfish, hen harrier, breeding waders (curlew, redshank, snipe), golden plover, and red grouse. Nest protection services are required to boost breeding success of priority ground nesting bird species from the Slieve Beagh site. Nest protection and predator control activates will be targeted to the Slieve Beagh SAC (NI) and NHA (ROI), and will extend into both SPA’s where Hen Harrier nests are detected.