Inishcreenry predators

Predator monitoring at Inishcreenry, to better understand the distribution and behaviour of predators and inform our management of the reserve.

Reeds at the edge of the water at Inishcreenry.

Overview

We want to better understand the distribution and behaviour of predators at Inishcreenry to inform our management of the reserve.

Contact: Nancy Reed: Nancy.reed@rspb.org.uk 
Closing date: Until filled​​​​​​​
Timescale: Early spring onwards ​​​​​​​
Location: Inishcreenry, Lower Lough Erne, Fermanagh ​​​​​​​
Resources available: Access to RSPB reserves, training and data ​​​​​​​
Key rquirements: Driving licence and own transport essential

Background

We have recently acquired the Inishcreenry reserve in Fermanagh, a 60-hectare wetland site which supports breeding waders.  

We have resource to install predator fencing, and may also have the ability to carry out vertebrate control in order to boost the number of breeding waders. However, we first want to better understand which predators are present on the reserve, in what densities, and how they are distributed and using the reserve, in order to ensure that we put the available resources to the best possible use. 

Further reading

  • Taylor HR, Rotheray E, Elliott A, MacGowan I, Sears J and Tompkins G (2021) Hovering on the edge of extinction: efforts to save the pine hoverfly. British Wildlife. 32: 547–554. 
  • Taylor HR, Allott C, Tompkins G, The Pine Hoverfly Steering Group, MacGowan I (2025). A large-scale conservation breeding and translocation programme to reintroduce a Critically Endangered saproxylic hoverfly to a Scottish forest ecosystem. Insect Conservation and Diversity. https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/icad.70001

Methods and aims:

  1. Gathering of data on predator distribution and abundance via scat transects, camera traps and observation. 
  2. Surveying breeding waders using O'Brien and Smith methodology.  
  3. Plotting of data using GIS.  
  4. Statistical analysis of data to determine trends. 

Learn more about this placement

To learn more about this placement, or to express your interest, please contact Nancy Reed: Nancy.reed@rspb.org.uk