Breeding Bird Surveys for six upland SSSIs in Yorkshire, Cumbria and County Durham

Concepts

• environmental services
• west nidderdale
• bird surveys
• county durham
• cumbria
• assemblage of upland moorland
• upland sssis
• breeding bird survey
• yorkshire
• bird species

Location

Description

The Authority is looking for a supplier/s for breeding bird surveys in six upland SSSIs. The Authority is seeking one or more Contractors to undertake a breeding bird survey which includes Aggregations of golden plover; and assemblage of upland moorland / grassland species across: - Arkengarthdale, Gunnerside & Reeth Moors SSSI, - Mallerstrang & Swaledale Head SSSI, - Lovely Seat - Stainton Moor SSSI - West Nidderdale, Barden and Blubberhouses Moors SSSI - Cotherstone Moor SSSI, - Bollihope, Pikestone, Egglestone & Woodland Fells SSSI The objective of this project is to survey all bird species potentially nesting in open moorland habitats within the six SSSIs and to estimate the numbers of each breeding species within the sites. It is not necessary to survey for Merlin. All open moorland habitats within the SSSIs will be surveyed (see Appendix D for maps showing the site boundaries). The survey method to be used is that devised by Brown and Shepherd (1993, Bird Study 40: 189-195) and is outlined later in this specification under the section entitled Brown and Shepherd (1993) method. This requires two visits over the total moorland area, with the first visit in early April to mid-May and the second in mid-May to late June. Surveys should be carried out by observers with experience of the behaviour, calls and songs of upland birds. On each visit, the location and activities of all upland breeding birds (with the exception of Red Grouse, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Carrion Crow) should be recorded using a GIS system (ARC compatible). Estimates of the numbers of breeding pairs are derived from both visit maps. The map for the first visit should include a total count for each 1km square of Red Grouse, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Carrion Crows. Full details of the survey methods are included below. Tenders can submit bids for all sites or whichever site is preferable (in terms of location).

CPV Codes

• 90700000 - Environmental services

Indicators

• Contract is suitable for SMEs.
• Contract is suitable for VCOs.

Other Information

Link to eSourcing Portal https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk n/a ITT 8319 - FINAL - 9 Feb 2021.pdf