Study shows merlin thrive in some habitats

They are Britain’s smallest bird of prey but there is some good news for the species with breeding of merlin increasing on grouse moors over the last 20 years.

The Moorland Association (MA) says the birds are breeding well on heather moorland managed by gamekeepers for wild red grouse, however the figures show the picture is not as rosy in other upland areas where the birds of prey are found. A recent independent study for the association found there were four times more breeding records for merlin on the managed landscapes than moorland without keepers.

Peak District head keeper, Fred Mitchinson has been working with licensed bird ringers and recording numbers for over twenty years and said the findings were very encouraging.

Breeding records appear to have doubled on grouse moors in the last 20 years - however the same figures revealed a fall of more than half in other upland areas.

Mr Mitchinson explained: “I take great pride in knowing I have had a direct impact on the success of these wonderful little falcons.

Continued

RARE BIRD SPECIES: East Lancs grouse moorland giving boost to rare bird of prey

1:00pm Monday 24th March 2014 in News

Britiain’s smallest bird of prey the merlin is thriving in E Lancs

EAST Lancashire’s grouse moors are helping to keep the threat to Britain’s smallest birds of prey at bay.

Merlins are flying in to nest on heather moorland managed by gamekeepers for wild red grouse like those in the Trough of Bowland.

A new study for the Moorland Association (MA) has found dramatic gains in merlin populations on such land.

There are only around 900 to 1,500 breeding pairs of merlin in the UK but experts say the tiny birds of prey are recovering from a population crash in the 20th Century.

This latest study assessed the distribution of breeding merlin in England and found 78 per cent of records were on protected and conserved iconic heather landscapes kept for red grouse.

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RSPB Scotland praised for harrier work

RSPB Scotland has received a special commendation at this year’s Watson Raptor Science Prize for its work on Orkney’s Hen Harrier population.

The study, which looked at the impacts of sheep grazing on the birds and their prey, showed that hill farming can play a fundamental role in assisting the fortunes of one of Britain’s most threatened birds.

Named in memory of two of Scotland’s most renowned ornithologists, Donald Watson and his son Jeff, the annual award recognises excellence in raptor science. This year’s prize was awarded to a team of scientists in Spain who studied the use of nest adornments by Black Kite.

Speaking on behalf of the harrier team, Professor Jerry Wilson, Head of Conservation Science, said: “RSPB Scotland is honoured to receive this commendation for our long-term research on Hen Harrier. It is a fitting recognition of the tireless commitment of co-author Eric Meek and his colleagues to nature conservation on Orkney. The study shows how important grazing management is to ensuring food supplies for Hen Harrier, and its findings will also help to improve conditions for other moorland birds of prey of high conservation concern, including Short-eared Owl and Merlin.”

Read on:  http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/channel/newsitem.asp?c=11&cate=__12551