Predator Control Acceptable In Orkney But Not Abernethy? Our Letter In The Times

Dear sir,

The success of the RSPB and NatureScot’s Lottery-funded project to eradicate stoats on Orkney is good news for threatened ground nesting birds on the islands, including breeding curlew. However, this success makes the policy of no predator control on the RSPB’s Abernethy Reserve even more puzzling.

The Cairngorms reserve is home to the remnants of Scotland’s capercaillie population, which our latest research shows has dwindled to 304 individuals. NatureScot’s independent scientific review found pine marten predation to be a limiting factor on on recovery of caper, which are rapidly heading towards extinction.

In this instance, eradication would not be required but rather the removal of a small number of individuals during the breeding season. Urgent action is needed to save the capercaillie population, and it seems the principle of controlling one species to save another is acceptable in Orkney but not Abernethy.

Rory Kennedy
Director Scotland, The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust

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Comments

Predator control at Abernethy

at 11:12 on 19/10/2023 by WBW

As the former Headkeeper on a large sporting estate near to Abernethy , I can confirm that we as keepers were asked every spring time to deal with litters of fox cubs at Abernethy . The RSPB have a policy whereby they will not sanction terriers being used to bolt the vixen from the earth. They were allowed to place nets over the holes in the vain hope that an adult fox would wander blindly into it and become entangled . This clearly would never work . They were quite happy to allow others to do the Terrier work for them . Abernethy has an incredibly low population of Caper and other ground nester due to this policy . On the other hand , in the mid 2000s the estate I worked on had one of the highest populations in Scotland . This was due to persistent and effective predator control . The banning of Humane Cable Restraints will only hamper any chance of a recovery for Caper .

RSPB 's predator control on all RSPB reserves

at 18:57 on 05/10/2023 by Langton Wildman

Taking Capercaillie in Abernethy as a prime example this population has fallen from ca 2,000 to just over 300 a drop of 85%. When will the RSPB learn that the biggest threat to our ground nesting species - most of which are in steep decline - are the Fox, Stoat and to a lesser degree the Pine Martin. The public do not wish to see these ground nesting species decline to what may be extinction when controlling predators is achievable.

Predator paradox

at 19:56 on 03/10/2023 by Ted Williams

Curiously, the RSPB gazes through the fog of its own politicking and fundraising binoculars, observing from its negligent hiding place, significant declines and local extinctions of bird species on land they oversee, When the truth of the “three legged stool”can no longer be denied, they team up with eco warriors without portfolio, who manage to extract funding from unsuspecting authorities, to translocate the problem. We are destined , it seems ,to receive pine martens on Exmoor and Dartmoor. Look out green woodpeckers etc, you’ll be extinct here next. How much funding and effort has been put the way of the dormouse in recent times, before these ignorant folk invite the pine marten to dinner?

RSPB

at 19:06 on 03/10/2023 by Owen McManus

RSPB will no doubt control predators at Abernethy, but they'll do what they always do. Launch a campaign demanding vast sums of government funding - which they'll get - but not be required to commit to any specific performance matrix on the job. The RSPB aren't interested in putting their hand in their own pocket, when it comes to actually achieving any results.

Predator control - RSPB

at 16:26 on 03/10/2023 by Trevor Macdonald

An excellent letter. Sadly though the RSPB will do what they always do with unbiased data and scientific fact - ignore it completely if it doesnt conform to their ideals - The Langholm Report being a case in point. Ironically the two stoats that found their way to Orkneys " in a bale of. straw" were believed imported to rid the islands of rabbits. I do hope for once the RSPB prove doubters like me wrong and heed the consequences

Predator Control Abernethy

at 14:39 on 03/10/2023 by Geoff Wickett

Concise, measured, facts based. Well said. Thank you.

Predator control: RSPB

at 16:13 on 29/09/2023 by Hugh Warmington

Your recent letter to the Times concerning predator control in Orkney but not Abernethy was excellent: factual, short and unemotional. This is just what is required and coming from a scientific organisation it carries weight. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

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