Hope for birds

Whilst it was disappointing to read about the recent Scottish National Heritage report indicating a decline in some of

Scotland’s upland birds (your report, 15 February), research has shown conclusively that on managed grouse moors the breeding success of some species of moorland birds is significantly improved, with predator control carried out by gamekeepers. The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Upland Predation Experiment based at Otterburn, Northumberland, was carried out over an eight-year period from 2000-2008 and proved that predator removal by moorland gamekeepers improved breeding success and abundance of moorland birds. The experiment looked at species of conservation concern, such as curlew, lapwing and golden plover. For lapwing, golden plover, curlew, red grouse and meadow pipit, on average a three-fold improvement was seen, from 23 per cent of pairs fledging young without predator removal to 64 per cent of pairs fledging young with predator removal.

Scottish Land & Estates is heavily involved in the Working for Waders project, which is a national multi-stakeholder initiative to help reverse the decline of breeding wader populations in Scotland.

Gamekeepers throughout the country carry out yearround conservation work managing the country’s grouse moors, which also provides favourable moorland habitat for breeding waders and a number of gamekeepers are also involved in the Working for Waders project.

TIM BAYNES

Director, Scottish Moorland Group, Scottish Land & Estates Eskmills Business Park

Musselburgh