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.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Hen harriers and profitable grouse shooting 'can co-exist'

By David Miller
BBC Scotland environment correspondent

Hen harriers could be removed from some grouse shooting areas and released into the wild elsewhere

Research carried out at Aberdeen University suggests hen harriers can co-exist with profitable grouse shooting.

Scientists have developed a model showing the densities at which the birds can survive together.

The study found that in areas where hen harriers breed at levels that have a significant economic impact on grouse shoots, some chicks could be removed.

They would then be reared in captivity and released into the wild elsewhere.

The stand-off between grouse moor managers and conservationists working to protect hen harriers, which feed on grouse, is one of the UK's most contentious wildlife conflicts.

The research focused on grouse moors in England, where the hen harrier is said to be close to extinction as a breeding bird.

But Prof Steve Redpath, who headed the Aberdeen team, believes the findings are relevant to Scotland.

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