Shooting UK is your complete shooting resource. From gun reviews to shotgun licence and firearms certificate information, to clay pigeon shooting, game shooting, shooting lessons and gundog training.
New research supports the idea that predator control benefits populations of waders such as the golden plover
By Will Finch
Thursday, 24 February 2011
A new RSPB report blames foxes and crows for waders' decline after attacking Songbird Survival predation study
The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has welcomed a new study from the RSPB, which reveals a link between predator numbers and the decline in the number of upland waders, reports Will Finch.
Published in the scientific journal Bird Study, the RSPB's work looked at five wading bird species and examined population changes across upland habitats. The RSPB stated: “Declines in lapwing numbers were greatest in areas dominated by heather. For this species, links to predation were also identified. Regionally, lapwing populations fared better on areas with more intensive grouse moor management (a management practice involving predator control and heatherburning) and worse where there were high crow numbers.”
The study also stated that golden plover suffered the greatest declines in areas where grouse moor management was more intensive. However, the GWCT claims that its findings from the recent nine-year Upland Predation Research project at Otterburn indicated, for the first time, that the control of common predators significantly improved the breeding success of curlew, lapwing and golden plover.
The rest of this article appears in 23rd February issue of Shooting Times.
At the risk of offending those with social sensibilities, we test a ca... Read more
I am planning on building my own dog trailer and wonder if there is an... Read more
On 5 January, new regulations governing how gamebirds are transported ... Read more
Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 16th May). FREE PRIZE DRAW: Win a Browning T-bolt.22 and Winchester ammo. Graham Downing gives his tips on where to find the best foreign sport! For all this and a whole lot more buy your copy today!
Save up to 31% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today and perfect gift this Christmas.
Comments