The Provision of conservation management monitoring on Puffin Island SPA, Co Kerry 2024 (1201_CMPI24).

Description

Puffin Island is a Special Protection Area under Directive 2009/147/EC for the conservation of the following breeding seabird species: Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis; Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus; Storm Petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus; Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus; Razorbill, Alca torda; and Puffin, Fratercula arctica. Ireland’s Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 in Ireland (pursuant to Article of Directive 92/43/EEC) for the period 2021 – 2027 noted that Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) American Mink (Mustela vison) are sources of an on-going pressure and/or a serious threat for several ground or burrow nesting species in particular Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel and Puffin. Records of American Mink exist for Puffin Island as has efforts to control them. The last of the on the ground predator control actions at this site occurred in 2020. The last breeding bird survey of the island was carried out in 2019 and failed to record Storm Petrel as an extant breeding bird. NPWS are seeking a suitably qualified and experienced team to: undertake a range of seabird surveys; provide contemporary population estimates of the island’s breeding seabird species; and using various methods determine the presence or absence of American Mink, Brown Rat or other invasive mammals on the island.