30th June 2014
RARE pictures of merlin chicks have been released by the organisation committed to protecting the threatened species.
Britain’s smallest birds of prey are bucking a national decline and breeding well on heather moorland managed by gamekeepers for wild red grouse.
A recent independent study for the Moorland Association (MA) found there were four times more breeding records for merlin on the globally recognised landscapes than moorland without keepers.
Peak District head keeper Fred Mitchinson has been working with licensed bird ringers and recording numbers for over 20 years. He described the findings as very encouraging.
The number of breeding records appear to have doubled on grouse moors in the last 20 years, while the same data revealed a fall of more than half in other upland areas.
Mr Mitchinson explained: “I take great pride in knowing I have had a direct impact on the success of these wonderful little falcons. Most years we have three pairs, returning to the same quieter areas of our moor.
“As ground nesters, they are very susceptible, not just to disturbance from dogs and walkers, but predators such as stoats and foxes, who see them as food.
“Once located, we closely monitor a nest and when the time is right, ring the young. The picture is from a brood of three females and a male, particularly encouraging as it’s rare for us to have a male.”
He said ringing was carefully regulated, with licences issued by Natural England and permits obtained from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
“There would be many more merlin; the problem is they don’t mix with people and especially dogs,” he added. “When moorland has easy visitor access, there are always going to be significant impacts.
“Where land is carefully managed and protected, risks are lessened and I wasn’t surprised by the study showing my profession is making a real difference to the survival of these special ‘little peregrines’.”
Consultant ecologists, Penny Anderson Associations highlighted significant merlin increases on heather moorland managed by gamekeepers, using respected BTO Atlas data.
Moorland Association members manage over 860,000 acres of heather moorland, rarer than rainforest.
Chairman, Robert Benson, said gains on grouse moors were important and had helped keep merlin off the Red List of endangered species.
He added: “These lovely birds of prey with square-cut tails and pointed wings are doing well on our land. The valuable study recognised the considerable work of gamekeepers and now these pictures of thriving chicks are added testimony to their contribution to the moorland and its wildlife.”
……… ends ……………
All images are available in higher resolution for media use on: https://www.moorlandassociation.org/resources.asp along with a selection of further merlin pictures by Steve Round Photography.
For further information contact MA director Amanda Anderson on amanda@moorlandassociation.org, 0845 458 9786 / 07979 851123
www.moorlandassociation.org
