The
SGA is asking for the right to protect our stock and the diversity
of wildlife in the countryside and consequently the jobs of
gamekeepers across Scotland. The SGA is not calling for raptors to
be shot on sight or persecuted in any way.
The
short-term solutions have been tried and found to be of little
effect or physically or financially impossible.
Many
devices have been used in an attempt to scare or deter raptors from
predating our stock. These include: mirrors, tin plates, plastic
bags and scarecrows hung up within the areas of release pens. None
of the above has proved very efficient. Constant patrolling by a
person possibly waving a flag is costly in man-hours and considering
the distances required to be covered daily is physically demanding.
Patrolling on the uplands to protect grouse populations is
physically impossible and the setting up of scaring devices is a
non-starter considering the areas in question.
The
solution to our problem as we see it are changes in the law to allow
for the control of raptors to maintain an ecological balance. Some
form of quota system or relocation program needs to be seriously
investigated if the raptor problem is to be solved to everyone’s
satisfaction.
 Any
birds found to be over the stated quota could be controlled
providing they are high number species such as buzzards, peregrines
or sparrowhawks. For local populations to be assessed nests would
have to be found and counted. One nest within the quota area would
be left. All others removed.
For
less numerous species such as kites, harriers, goshawks etc. the
extra nest could be removed and eggs hatched elsewhere. The adults
could be live trapped and relocated to areas where these raptors can
be accepted. Another option would be to prick/addle the eggs,
thereby stopping the increase of chosen raptor species.
It
is important to note that many areas of Scotland have no shooting
interests and raptors could breed freely in these areas. The
numbers would have to be closely monitored to ensure diversity of
other species and interests, and local circumstances might dictate
leaving pairs where it was sensible to do so.
Between
the quota system areas and the free breeding areas raptors would
continue to thrive and damage would be down to a minimum. All
control measures and licences whether lethal or otherwise could be
carried out by MAFF or some other body. Gamekeepers do not need to
be physically involved in their removal.
We
urge that ravens and cormorants come under a similar scheme.
In
areas where raptor populations threatened other birds or pigeon
interests a local group could make recommendations to the governing
body concerned with this problem.
A
copy of the SGA’s evaluation of the raptor working group report,
which may illustrate some of our concerns not noted here, is
obtainable on request from:The Secretary of the SGA
Robin
Burnett - For The Committee of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association |
