Kingfisher Survey 2010

Quality Control

Data is to the highest quality. Survey was conducted by highly skilled field surveyor, employed and managed by BirdWatch Ireland. Data inputted and mapped. Mapped records checked by eye and amended where errors found.

Method steps

1. Six river systems, namely the Barrow, Blackwater (Munster region), Boyne, Clare, Moy and Nore, all designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) formed the basis for this survey. Observers aimed to cover all the main channels along with all tributaries feeding into the main system (both SAC and non SAC). Three visits were made to each system between 15 March – 1 Jun 2010. Most fieldwork was carried out between 08:00 and 18:00, where all waterways bird species seen or heard were recorded. Observations by boat or on foot involved collecting birds and habitat data every 500m. Grid references of the locations of any Kingfishers seen or heard were noted as were the locations of any nest holes deemed active or inactive or unknown.

Survey focussed in six main river catchments: Barrow, Blackwater (Munster region), Boyne, Clare, Moy and Nore, all designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) formed the basis for this survey.