COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

QUESTION NO. 7

QUESTION: Councillor J. Lahart

"To ask the Chief Executive what the position is regarding Minks in the Dodder and Glin Rivers in Rathfarnham?"

REPLY:

Following on from the pilot survey and trapping programme undertaken along the Dodder River last autumn, and in conjunction with National Parks and Wildlife Service and parallel efforts in DCC with regards to the control of this non-native invasive species, trapping for mink has recommenced in South Dublin County. 

In order to find a cost effective means of implementing a trapping programme, and to have maximum impact for the protection of native Protected Species and biodiversity, this year's trapping efforts will target those sections of the River Dodder which are known to support protected bird species such as kingfisher, dipper and grey wagtail.  The objective is to reduce mink numbers around these nesting sites before and during nesting season with the intention of facilitating better survival rates of eggs and fledgelings.  Trapping is also scheduled for the autumn, prior to the fish spawning season, to attempt to reduce predation on fish before they spawn.

As mink have also been trapped by DCC in Bushy Park, a section of the Owendoher at Rathfarnham has been included in our survey and trapping programme for this year.  The objective is to deduce mink numbers along the lower sections of the Owendoher where it joins the Dodder close to Bushy Park.