A survey of breeding Golden Plover within the Owenduff/Nephin Complex SPA, County Mayo

• Main Authors: Suddaby, David, O'Brien, Cathal
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 2020
• Subjects: Golden Plover; Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Mayo; Alauda arvensis; Pluvialis apricaria
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2262/92626

The Irish breeding population of Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, a species listed on Annex I of the Birds Directive, was estimated at 134 to 156 pairs following surveys between 2002 and 2004. From those surveys, the Owenduff/Nephin Complex Special Protection Area (SPA) (site code 4098) in County Mayo was identified and designated as an important breeding area for Golden Plover. Further surveys within this SPA in 2005 and 2006 estimated a breeding population of 60 to 67 pairs. These estimates were based on an extrapolation from single survey visits to up to 26 one-kilometre grid squares in both 2005 and 2006. There has been no systematic survey or population estimate for Golden Plover within SPA since these surveys. Robust data on population size, range and habitat use are essential to the development and implementation of effective conservation programmes. This report provides the results of a survey for breeding Golden Plover in the Owenduff/Nephin Complex SPA, based on the most cost-effective approach to providing a population estimate. The survey was completed during the 2019 breeding season using the same 27 one-kilometre grid squares identified and surveyed between 2005 and 2006. This survey followed the same transect routes within each one-kilometre square that were set during those previous surveys. In consideration that any changes in Golden Plover population may be habitat mediated, a repeat of the habitat assessments completed in 2005 and 2006 was also undertaken, using pre-determined 1 m2 quadrats along the established transect routes. Additionally, territorial Skylark Alauda arvensis and Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis were recorded.