Project tackles harrier decline
An innovative project in Renfrewshire is combating the decline in numbers of hen harriers. Over the last three years, SNH have been working with land managers in
the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park to support management of their moorland for wildlife. In all, 10 land managers have signed up to a management scheme covering 8,380 hectares of moorland. Known as Renfrewshire Heights, the moorland is internationally important for
breeding hen harriers and it’s designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and special protection area. Over a number of years, muirburn and high levels of grazing have caused a
loss of heather cover on the moor. This has affected not only the habitat but also the wildlife that lives there, including the hen harrier. The scheme, which runs until 2014, will restore the moorland by reducing
grazing and carefully targeting muirburn. It will benefit not only harriers, but also other moorland wildlife, with measures that will include regenerating scrub and marking fences to stop black grouse flying into them. “These moorlands are one of the best breeding sites for hen harriers in
Scotland,” explained local SNH area officer Andy MacGregor. “The scheme has helped farmers and estates continue their good stewardship of the land by improving the habitat.We hope this will help the wildlife here thrive for years to come.”
Hunterston Estate is one of the landholdings that has signed up to the
scheme.With a five-year agreement that covers 1,368 hectares of land, the estate plan to reduce the number of grazing sheep by 900. At their own expense, they’ve also removed a further 1,000 sheep and put a new, summer-only grazing regime in place for 390 sheep and 30 cattle. The estate has also stopped muirburn throughout the term of the agreement. The changes will maintain a good variety of habitats and help the heather to recover. “We’ve fully embraced the SSSI at Renfrewshire Heights,” commented Nigel
Cochran-Patrick of Hunterston Estate. “This is a great opportunity to reverse the desert-like appearance caused by years of overgrazing and the unfortunate drainage schemes of the past. “My only worry is that the five years for which the scheme runs will only just be
enough time to halt the decline. Hopefully, the scheme will run for a further five years to really make a difference. People forget how long things in nature take to grow.”
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The Nature of Scotland
NEWS
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