RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION FARMS - AUCHNERRAN GAME AND SONGBIRD COUNTS |
There are around five pairs of buzzards. © Marlies Nicolai/GWCT
KEY FINDINGS
Table 1 shows the numbers of some wader species recorded in spring over the last two years, revealing some impressively high numbers plus, again, some yearly variation. In this instance, the variation is probably due to the cold and wet weather experi- enced in early 2015. Emily Sheraton from Leeds University joined us in the summer to study lapwings in more detail. Her repeat counts to search for adults and chicks suggested that there was an average of approximately one chick for each breeding pair at Auchnerran, an excellent level of productivity that should be sufficient to maintain numbers on site. As we develop our management plans for the coming years we will work closely with Allan Wright, the farm manager, to do whatever we can to maintain these impressive wader numbers while improving farm economics. As well as the waders we have found quite a diverse array of other species including around five pairs of buzzards, perhaps our first record of breeding red kite, a few barn owls and kestrels, plus tree pipit, wheatear, stonechat, siskin and the occasional group of twite passing through. One species notable by its absence is the skylark. None were recorded in 2016 and only four in the previous year, despite an abundance of rough grazing areas that should make good-quality nesting habitat. The next few years will be extremely busy at Auchnerran and exciting for those of us lucky enough to be involved in shaping the future of the farm.
Baseline surveys at Auchnerran have highlighted a high abundance of pheasant, lapwing, oystercatcher, curlew and woodcock, to name but a few. The bird species diversity present is also impressive with many raptors and songbirds, including red kite, barn owl, tree pipit and twite found on the farm. The next few years will be crucial as we work towards improving the farming at Auchnerran but without losing the unusual abundance of wildlife.
Dave Parish
A newly-hatched lapwing chick. Studies show that lapwings probably produce sufficient chicks to maintain numbers on site. © Marlies Nicolai/GWCT
www.gwct.org.uk
GAME & WILDLIFE REVIEW 2016 | 75
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