We need to talk about predation

Nidderdale Moorland Group

Predator control is always an emotive subject, but it is a subject we do talk about.

Today we live in an environment in which our top predators are thriving and increasing as many of them, such as the Fox, have the ability to adapt quickly and take advantage of changes to their habitats.

We are now only a few weeks away from the return of many of our ground nesting birds who arrive each spring to join our resident Red Grouse in breeding on our managed moorlands.

Some of these such as the Curlew are Red Listed and internationally endangered and, away from our managed moorland areas, are decreasing at an alarming rate due to predation and habitat losses.

For our gamekeepers predator control can mean long, cold hours of patiently and quietly waiting, especially after the recent fall of snow, but this work is vital for the success of all our ground nesting species come spring and summer, not only the Red Grouse, but also the Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Hen Harrier, Short Eared Owl, Merlin and many other species who call our managed moorlands home in spring and summer to raise their young.

All three legs of the conservation stool need to be effective if we are to support our vulnerable species and not create population sinks which attract these ground nesting birds to suitable habitats only to fail to rear their young due to the predation pressures on eggs and chicks.

Predator control is about maintaining a balance where vulnerable species, and livestock such as lambs, are given the chance to successfully thrive and rear their young to fledging age.

Gamekeepers and farmers, both in the uplands and low ground, are not alone in legally controlling certain generalist predators, but unlike many charity conservation organisations we will talk about this.

This Fox was humanely and quickly dispatched by one of our moorland gamekeepers in a moorland edge field where Lapwing nest every spring and where the chicks have been BTO ringed and recorded for several years.

The year round work of our moorland gamekeepers benefits many different species with higher breeding densities and fledging successes for our most vulnerable and endangered ground nesting birds, a vital source of surplus young who can go on to populate other areas in future.