Langholm Moor project – Can grouse co-exist with harriers?
13/09/2011 17:03:00
Langholm Moor successes and failures
Successes
Hen harrier breeding success has improved. All the nests that laid full clutches have reared nearly all of the birds (lousy weather in Y1 meant 1 chick was lost from each of the two nests and in Y3, two hens arrived late and there was only 1 cock bird provisioning 3 females - so he quickly concentrated on the hatched nest, which meant the others got little attention/feed). Previously, losses from harrier nests meant that the number of young reared was very limited each year.
Diversionary feeding - most nests have been taking diversionary feed provided as part of the Project, especially post hatching feed. During the nest watching by staff (around 40 hours per nest) no identifiable grouse chicks have been brought in (although there have been 3 items that were brought in which the staff could not see as the bird had its back to the observers. Around 200 food items were been brought in, so even if all the unidentifiable items were grouse chicks, that is a very low percentage of the diet.
Grouse numbers increased markedly in the first couple of years but seem to have stalled. The reasons behind this are being investigated.
Even in the first year, the shepherds commented that they were actually seeing lapwing chicks, after many years of not seeing any. They also commented that sheep were spreading out across the hill more by walking along the cut strips and burnt areas, so spreading grazing activity and avoiding overgrazing on their favoured areas.
3 young hen harriers were satellite tagged, but 2 birds were lost during last winter (no indication of causes) and the remaining bird travelled south through Wales, Cornwall, France before eventually wintering in Spain. This bird has now returned to southern Scotland.
Burning and cutting is providing young heather and open ground - the former provides better feeding for grouse and sheep, the latter has been well used by lizards (11 recorded in Y1 being taken to harrier nests, with birds hunting along cut strips) and adders using such areas for basking.
Black grouse numbers and breeding success have increased, but the number of observations is low and whilst the increase is obvious, the results are probably not statistically valid. On one area, up to 12 black cocks have been recorded whereas in previous years, single or two birds have been present.
Less successful aspects
Langholm Moor suffered a bad attack of heather beetle, removing heather from across around 10 square kilometres. While this is obviously bad for the heather it does for highlight the issue and prompt some research into management methods to achieve recovery.
Wader numbers have not changed statistically, but they are long lived birds which do not necessarily return to their natal area in their early years.
3-year review of the Langholm Moor Demonstration ProjectSeptember 2011. The independent experts who make up the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project's Science & Technical Advisory Group (STAG) have recommended to the Project's Directors that the project should continue for another three years.
Promising start
Their review, (See www.langholmproject.com) identifies a promising start to the project. The Project is a unique partnership, comprising: Scottish Natural Heritage, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Buccleuch Estates, RSPB and Natural England.
The Project aims to demonstrate an effective means of resolving the raptor-grouse moor controversy by restoring grouse moor management to the Langholm Moor SPA/SSSI as a way of meeting the conservation objectives of the site. The duration of the project is up to ten years, subject to review every three years.
Grouse number fluctuations
Based on the progress during the first three years, the experts recommended that the Project continue as planned. They noted that while progress towards the targets has been made, indicating that ultimate success is likely, the yearly variability in growth of grouse numbers, the difficulties in managing heather (especially in the face of heather beetle) and harrier, wader and passerine numbers not yet responding to increased management means that it is not certain when key goals, such as sustainable driven grouse shooting may begin.
No grouse shooting in 2011
This month agreement was reached between project partners that there would be no grouse shooting this year at Langholm.
Professor Jeremy Greenwood, outgoing chairman of the LMDP STAG, said: "It has been fulfilling to be involved in such a worthwhile co-operative enterprise, aimed at benefiting not only grouse and harriers but also those people who appreciate the uplands and have to make a living in them. The scientists and land managers on the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group have worked effectively together to address the controversial issues involved in the project. It has also been a delight to support the dedicated and effective team of keepers and researchers at Langholm, who have not only worked effectively with the STAG but also closely and harmoniously together towards the common goal."
Views from the key stakeholders, represented by the project Board of Directors, backed the generally positive review and outlook. Outgoing chair of the board Susan Davies, Director of Policy and Advice at Scottish Natural Heritage said: "The Langholm Project demonstrates just how important it is to have clear management objectives, a clear evidence base and a willingness to adopt an 'adaptive management' approach; reviewing and adjusting the land management activities as issues unfold on the moor. There are significant challenges ahead that will undoubtedly challenge conventional conservation approaches, requiring the project partners to find creative solutions. However, with the tremendous dedication of the Project's gamekeepering and scientific staff at Langholm, we should keep making progress."
The incoming board chair, Mark Oddy of Buccleuch Estates said: "Buccleuch Estates has long been instrumental in advocating the critical role that land managers play in the management of the uplands.
Tagging Hen harriers on Langholm Moor. Copyright Laurie Campbell
The Langholm Project is just another example of our involvement in trying to find adaptive management solutions that will allow all of us to manage for a balance, while recognising commercial imperatives. The robust science which underpins the entire Project will give stakeholders and policymakers the confidence required to make challenging decisions in the future."
Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management at RSPB Scotland, commented: "The Langholm Moor Demonstration Project is emerging as the most important test bed for resolving conflicts, and developing shared solutions, to management issues relevant to large areas of the UK uplands. For example, it has already made a major contribution to informing the outcome of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011. Conservationists and sporting interests share many common interests, including the desire to see thriving bird populations and sustainable sporting enterprises in our upland areas. This Project is starting to show the way forward as to how we can best work together to deliver our ambitions."
Success due to reduction in foxes?
In summary Teresa Dent, Chief Executive of Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust said: "The efforts by the Project keepers and scientists to deliver driven grouse balanced with raptor populations at Langholm deserve the highest praise. They have improved grouse numbers since the low point of 2004, through the estimated 70% reduction in fox numbers and attention to restoring habitat quality.
But the Project's management and knowledge exchange successes in the first three years are tempered by the reality of only modest numbers of harriers and grouse. We look forward to addressing these issues by examining the patterns of overwinter raptor predation on grouse, what is holding back the modest numbers of wading birds, further tagging of harriers and treating heather beetle damage."
Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment
well said mark. what the eyes dont see. the disgusting slaughter of millions of animals caught in snares. shot.poisoned. for what? some morons with nothing better to do, than blast away some mechanical toys. really makes them seem like heroes doesnt it?supported by the conservation bodies who pick and choose the animals and birds they wish to "conserve".
Posted by: dee donworth | 21 Sep 2011 12:36:12
How many times do I have to point out that the real slaughter going on here is that of foxes, mustelids and corvids. It is sickening enough that this slaughter is a "byproduct" of a commercial enterprise, but then to justify it under "nature conservation".
Appalling.
Posted by: Mark Fisher | 14 Sep 2011 23:43:15