Hen harriers able to thrive on keepered moorland

An important study undertaken by the GWCT and RSPB shows that nesting attempts are more successful on managed grouse moors

The importance of gamekeepers in helping the country’s birds of prey has been reiterated by a newly-published study. The experts, who included RSPB and GWCT scientists, examined the connection between hen harrier and merlin numbers and gamekeeping on Langholm moor in South-west Scotland.

Populations of the birds were studied at times when the moor was being managed for grouse and when it was not. The scientists found that: “Groundnesting raptors, namely the hen harrier and the merlin, increased during periods of grouse-moor management and had a higher proportion of successful nesting attempts.” Fox and crow numbers were significantly reduced on the moor by the work of gamekeepers, however, the number of small birds such as meadow pipit did not increase. This allowed the scientists to work out that it was the reduction in predators that enabled the birds to breed successfully, not an increase in food. Adding extra food in the form of dead day-old chicks alongside predator control allowed the highest number of chicks to be fledged.

The scientists sounded a warning about the effect on hen harriers and merlins if anti-grouse-shooting campaigns were successful. In the paper they wrote: “Our results showed that the abandonment of active management was associated with declines in hen harrier and merlin breeding success as well as hen harrier abundance, which impacted other ground-nesting birds of conservation concern.”

Importantly, they also noted that illegal persecution by a small number of gamekeepers may be outweighing the good others are doing in protecting harriers from predation and preserving their habitat.

Finally, the scientists expressed a hope that the conflict between raptors and grouse moors could be resolved: “If the impact of hen harriers on red grouse, which underlies the motivation for illegal raptor control, could be reduced, it might be possible to improve the conservation status of raptors while maintaining driven red grouse shooting.”

After two attempts to restore grouse management on the moor failed, the Duke of Buccleuch put it up for sale. A buyout aimed at establishing a nature reserve looks likely to fail after the 10,500-acre moor was valued at just over £6m, considerably more than the campaigners have raised.

Matt Cross

“Ground-nesting raptors increased during periods of grouse-moor management”

Keep a close eye on young birds. Young pheasant poults are vulnerable to disease, especially during periods of wet weather. Early detection of problems is key to preventing a serious outbreak. Warning signs include runny faeces and lethargic birds. If you are in any doubt contact your vet immediately.

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Don’t hurry to reclaim your outhouses and eaves from visiting swallows and martins. Most swallows will now have fledged their first brood of chicks, however, given the chance many will have another. As far as possible leave them undisturbed and certainly don’t attempt to remove nests.

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Merlins are one of the species that can do well on grouse moors