Gamekeepers have been hailed for helping to preserve the population of an iconic bird species.
New research shows the ability of the endangered curlew to cling on in Scotland lies in the hands of gamekeepers managing key moorland habitats.
Dr Daniel Hoffman, a certified biogeographer with Game Conservancy Deutschland, studied curlew and other globally threatened wading birds in Germany and Scotland for four years, measuring relative breeding success.
After assessing 2018 results, he believes management undertaken by gamekeepers for red grouse is helping sustain core curlew populations, with ramifications for the species overall.
The UK supports about a quarter of the world’s entire curlew population yet, while numbers in Scotland are comparatively good, they have still declined 60 per cent since 1994.
On Scotland’s moors, where curlew and other conservation-listed wading
birds are known to breed well, gamekeepers are managing to hold on to populations although declines are still being witnessed.
- READ MORE: Curlew nests attacked by foxes and crows
Last year, cameras set by Dr Hoffman and his research team at Glenogil Estate in Angus picked up 20 curlew nests successfully breeding chicks out of a
possible 22.
Lapwings, golden plover and oystercatcher also fared well from records of
148 nests, with around 100 nests being monitored with cameras.
Dr Hoffman said: “I am sure gamekeeping plays a major role in the conservation of the curlew, not in Scotland but in the whole of Britain. This is because in non-keepered areas you don’t have this level of successful breeding.
“From studies that we can compare with our German data from last year, 2018 at Glenogil was one of the best breeding situations I have ever seen or read about. For example, we found 22 curlew nests, with 20 being successful. If you lose the gamekeepers in Scotland, you will lose lots of curlews. I am sure of this, perhaps up to 80% in the next few years.
“The breeding success depends on the management you do on the landscape.”
Previous science has shown that legal predator management of crows, stoats and weasels by trained gamekeepers using approved traps benefits more than just grouse for shooting parties.
Limiting the numbers of predators that can eat the chicks and eggs of waders leads to better breeding success, especially when combined with strip burning of heather.
Lianne MacLennan, spokeswoman for Scotland’s regional moorland groups, said: “The last thing gamekeepers in the groups want is for further declines in these special birds and it has been great to welcome them back."
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