Cleaning activities and disturbance

gzoladz

I have had this question in my head for a while...

There is a number of action groups that do a fantastic job cleaning rivers, beaches, canals, etc.

Their events and initiatives are very well organized and deliver great benefits not only for the environment, but also for those who take part as they are family/communit type events.

These events take place more frequently in spring, and I can't help but think about the potential inadvertent disturbance nesting birds may be subject to. For example, what would the impact be to nesting kingfishers to have a number of people going and coming on the river banks?

I really hope I am missing something, appreciate any clarification anyone can provide.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Kingfishers really only start meeting in May and these clean ups usually occur in April. I've never seen any evidence of disturbance causing an issue; only successful rejuvenation of an area. Probably more disturbance fro angling etc. as the season progression and that in itself is not a concern.

OpenYourEyes

Dippers are currently in the middle of their breeding season though.

While I commend the efforts of local groups who do this kind of work, I do wish that they would consider things like this a bit more!

Its not the same thing, but I recall a bioblitz or something similar at Lough Boora a few years ago, and it was right in the middle of the breeding season. Needless to say, having large numbers of people scouring every inch of the site for insects, plants etc all day wouldn't have done the many ground nesting birds any favours! I'm not sure if the event was cancelled, or if restrictions were put in place.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

OpenYourEyes wrote: »

Dippers are currently in the middle of their breeding season though.

While I commend the efforts of local groups who do this kind of work, I do wish that they would consider things like this a bit more!

Its not the same thing, but I recall a bioblitz or something similar at Lough Boora a few years ago, and it was right in the middle of the breeding season. Needless to say, having large numbers of people scouring every inch of the site for insects, plants etc all day wouldn't have done the many ground nesting birds any favours! I'm not sure if the event was cancelled, or if restrictions were put in place.

Granted. I only have experience of groups that carry out these projects out of season. The nearest to mistiming I encounter is Tidy Towns groups trimming verges etc. for visits by judges around June each year. I know it's often easier said than done, but if somebody comes across groups potentially disturbing breeding then the 'legal card' should be played and explained to them.

Desmo

A related concern is when groups get areas of rough ground "tidied up". This usually means cutting brambles, thistles etc. or removing ivy from trees. Fortunately, there seems to be increased awareness of bioidiversity and the importance of habitat now but for some people, nature means a lawn with a few bare trunked park trees.

Day Lewin

Some years ago, the River Dodder in Dublin used to have an annual clean-up, (The "Dodder Day of Action") which was organised jointly by the Irish Wildlife Trust and the Dodder Anglers Club.
I'm sure the anglers and fisherfolk would not have wished to disturb the habitats of their target fishes!
And the Wildlife Trust have access to persons with professional qualifications and expert advice.
And of course, much of the actual work was done by volunteers and locals on the day.

And yes, this was always held in April if I recall correctly.

It was mainly picking litter off the banks - and out of the actual water; shocking what stuff was found. I know of at least one prosecution that resulted.

For a river that runs right into the heart of a densely populated capital city, the Dodder was, and is, remarkably healthy - with plenty of herons (a good sign for plenty of fish, lol) and moorhens, ducks, swans, perch, pike, pinkeens, and regular sightings of kingfishers, stoats, and otter.

Bottom line: get the best people on the job for the best result. And God bless volunteers!