25th November 2015
SCOTLAND’S shooting estates are supporting a “vast range” of bird species, according to a study of three prominent grouse moors.
A total of 81 species have been found breeding or feeding on land managed by gamekeepers, with some birds that are in decline elsewhere apparently making a comeback on heather moorland.
The birds identified include golden plover, black grouse, ring ouzel, golden and white-tailed eagles, peregrine falcons and hen harriers. One estate also recorded a significant rise in cuckoo numbers.
Hen harrier among raptors on grouse estates
A report by the Scottish Moorland Group looked at wildlife audits on three properties and forms part of the year-long “gift of grouse” campaign which is designed to highlight the benefits that moorland management delivers, according to those involved.
Tim Baynes, director of the group, said: “To have such an array of species is tremendous news and demonstrates clearly that high quality habitat management can deliver multiple conservation benefits.
“The diversity of species that can thrive on grouse moors is probably one of the least heralded gifts of grouse moor management. The findings of these studies we believe are a snapshot of what is happening on managed moorland throughout Scotland.”
Graeme Dey, the SNP MSP who hosted a reception at the Scottish Parliament to launch the report, said it was important in the context of future land use and the Land Reform Bill, which is going through Holyrood, that there was a “balanced, evidence based debate on the best way forward”.
Grouse moors are blamed by conservation groups for the illegal persecution of birds of prey.
But the surveys at two properties in Angus and one in Perthshire found hen harriers and golden eagles producing young.
At Invermark in the Angus glens, ecologists catalogued 81 species, including a range of endangered “red list” birds.
The audit found 68 breeding pairs of golden plover, 32 pairs of dunlin and 10 species of raptor, including merlin, peregrine, golden eagle, white-tailed eagle and hen harrier.
Garry MacLennan, head gamekeeper, said a pair of eagles fledged three chicks last year and peregrine falcons and short eared owls also bred on the property.
A survey on Glenogil Estate, a leading grouse moor, found 63 bird species, including 84 mating male black grouse, a species that is decreasing across the UK.
The most recent survey, at Glenturret in Perthshire, revealed 61 species, including eight species of raptor. Mike Reddington, the head ‘keeper, said they included two pairs of hen harriers that produced three fledglings this year.
