Project Page Views: [ 677 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Kingfisher and Dipper: indicators of good river quality |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | STRIVE - Small Scale Study |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Olivia Crowe |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | BirdWatch Ireland |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.10306, -6.07019 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 11/03/2013 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 11/10/2013 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Waterways Birds; Kingfisher and Dipper; Distribution Survey; River condition |
| Project Abstract | Extensive surveys of waterways birds were undertaken between 2006 and 2010. These surveys aimed to gather information on the distribution of waterways birds, and to evaluate the impacts of statutory arterial drainage maintenance activities on them. Through this work, BirdWatch Ireland has gained a substantial number (more than 300) of records of Kingfisher Alcedo atthis and Dipper Cinclus cinclus sightings during a combination of these surveys, and as part of a public survey of Kingfisher records that was undertaken in 2007 and received from members of the public. Additional records on Kingfisher nests were also gathered. Kingfisher and Dipper are the two key iconic riverine species in Ireland. They occupy very different habitats. Kingfisher occurs predominantly on the slow-moving low-lying rivers in Ireland, where it feeds on small fish (largely Minnows Phoxinus phoxinus) and invertebrates. It relies on clear water and rivers that support healthy fish (communities for foraging. Dipper occurs in the faster moving streams located further upland, and forages for invertebrates by diving into the oncoming flow of water from nearby boulders. Thus, the distribution of these species reflect the condition of Ireland's rivers, and also the suitability of rivers for other biodiversity. |