As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Monday 30 September 2013

Trap pine martens to protect capercaillie, say gamekeepers

Pine martens should be trapped and relocated away from capercaillie breeding areas, the Scottish Gamekeeper's Association has said.

The organisation said removing the predator would help to halt a decline in numbers of the rare bird.

The SGA's suggestion of trialling the trapping and transfer of pine martens is not supported by RSPB Scotland or Scottish Natural Heritage.

The mammals are legally protected and the subject of conservation work.

Foxes, crows and birds of prey also hunt capercaillie.

Bad weather, loss of habitat and collisions with deer fences have also been blamed for deaths of the birds.

The SGA said not enough was being done to control pine martens and capercaillie were "doomed" to extinction if measures were not taken.

No comments:

Post a Comment