Breeding wader surveys in selected areas of the northwest and border counties of Ireland

Tender description

Breeding waders in Ireland have experienced significant population declines and range contractions in recent decades and many are now considered of high conservation concern. Robust data on each species’ population size, range and habitat use is essential to the development and implementation of effective conservation programmes and policies. Updated information on breeding waders in non-coastal and upland habitats is required, particularly for breeding Dunlin Calidris alpina and Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria. In 2022, a survey of sites within known/likely breeding wader areas in the Connaught region was carried out. This year, the survey will be targeting coverage of designated sites in Co. Donegal (Priority) and representative coverage of other likely suitable sites across Donegal and also at select known/likely breeding areas along the border counties of Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan. DHLGH now invites tenders for the design and provision of surveys of breeding waders in selected peatland/upland areas focused in the northwest of Ireland, including designated and non-designated areas. A detailed specification of the Department’s technical requirements is set out below. A strict schedule of deliverables will be agreed with the successful Tenderer, with the contract expected to commence by mid-April 2023 at latest and is to conclude by September 30th 2022. Survey aim The aim of the required survey work is to determine the number of pairs of breeding waders in defined survey locations (with location choice led primarily by Dunlin and Golden Plover), and to extrapolate results to estimate the total population of breeding waders in the associated areas/landscapes. The results will ultimately contribute to updated national population estimates and trends for breeding waders. The required survey work in Special Protection Areas (SPAs) should be sufficiently robust to allow for the future development of site-specific conservation objectives.