WHILE it was disappointing to read the Scottish Natural Heritage report indicating a decline in some of Scotland’s upland birds (“Major decline in numbers of lapwings and curlew”, The Herald, February 15), research has shown that, on managed grouse moors, the breeding success of some species of moorland birds is significantly improved where predator control is carried out by gamekeepers.

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Upland Predation Experiment at Otterburn, Northumberland was carried out over an eight-year period to 2008 and proved that predator removal by moorland gamekeepers improved breeding success and the 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, a national initiative to help reverse the decline of breeding wader populations in Scotland.

Gamekeepers throughout the country carry out year-round conservation work managing the country’s grouse moors. This also provides favourable moorland habitat for breeding waders and a number of gamekeepers are also involved in the project.

Tim Baynes,

Director, Scottish Moorland Group,

Scottish Land & Estates,

Eskmills Business Park,

Musselburgh.