Overview
The role of the Curlew Nest Protection Officer is to control and lessen the likelihood of Curlew nest/chick predation by Fox, Mink, Hooded Crow and Magpie solely in the vicinity of Curlew breeding territories (within 1km of nest sites). The Curlew Nest Protection Officer will also assist in efforts to find breeding Curlew and indeed in assembling and maintaining nest protection fences. Record keeping according to set standards is a vital part of this role. The specific tasks and deliverables of the Nest Protection Officer are outlined below.:
Areas (See Appendix 1)
- Stack’s Mountains
- North Roscommon/East Mayo
- Mid Co. Leitrim/North East Roscommon
- North Co. Monaghan
- North Lough Corrib
- Sliabh Aughty Mountains
- Laois (Sliabh Blooms) and Kildare
Tasks
Starting Wednesday 08 March 2023, the primary focus of the Curlew Nest Protection Officer shall be to protect Curlew nests by use of predator proof fences and to legally trap and humanely dispatch unprotected predators within 1km of known Curlew territories.
| Category | Curlew Nest Protection Officer Focus |
|---|---|
|
Surveys |
Surveying predators (main focus to determine hotspots/risk areas for predators) including the use of trail cams and assisting with Curlew Surveys where requested by CAO. NPOs are encouraged to discuss Curlew with landowners and locals, with a view to determining current/recent usage of lands by Curlew. Relevant information on predators and Curlew shall be recorded and provided to both the Curlew Advisory Officer and the Curlew researcher. |
|
Nest Protection |
Erecting and maintaining predator proof fences |
|
Legally trapping and humane dispatching of unprotected predators |
Time-bound, strategic and systematic control of predators within 1km of known Curlew territories |
|
Liaison with local gun clubs |
Engaging with and recording supplementary efforts of other gun club members. Encouraging local gun club members involved in predator control to focus efforts in specific areas. The Curlew Nest Protection Officer should be a contact point between the project other gun club members in the area and encourage a responsible and strategic approach to predator control |
|
Liaison with landowners and public |
Explaining the purpose of the Predation Risk Management efforts, gaining access to lands, being courteous and respectful, operating in a non-intrusive way and building a positive profile in the local area are all requirements of the work |
|
Liaison with project manager/local advisor/NPWS personnel |
The Curlew Nest Protection Officer will report to the CCP Project Manager. Positive and proactive engagement with landowners, regional NPWS staff and other project operatives is a requirement of the work |
Equipment and Logistics
The Curlew Nest Protection Officer shall be responsible for organising all equipment, including traps and ammunition and ensuring (by discussion with NPWS regional management) that all is legally sound including the use of firearms. The Curlew Nest Protection Officer shall use their own transport/fuel, etc. and this will be taken from the overall contract amount.
Selection of Curlew Advisory Officers
A tender evaluation committee shall select one Nest Protection Officer for each area as advertised. In their tender, applicants are advised to clearly outline their costs, experience and expertise, in accordance with the Curlew Action Team application form. The following marking criteria shall be applied in the evaluation of tenders:
Cost: 400 marks
Experience: 400 marks (minimum required 200 marks)
Qualifications and licences appropriate to the position: 200 marks (minimum required 100 marks)
Covid-19
All work must be carried out in full compliance with Government/HSE guidance on Covid-19. In the event that such guidance or other ruling by Government around Covid-19 prevents any work related to the contract from proceeding for any period of time, then the Contractor must inform the Client, and in agreement between Contractor and Client the work schedule shall be adjusted accordingly. The Client shall not be liable for any costs arising e.g. if days could not be worked.
Background Checks
NPWS reserve the right to undertake background checks internally and with An Garda Síochána for any history of hunting or firearms offences, in advance of awarding contracts for nest protection services.