Raptors and Red Grouse: Conservation Conflicts and Management Solutions

摘要: Recovering predator populations may present problems for conservationists if their prey are of economic or conservation value. We address this issue by examining the conflict between raptor conserva- tion and management Red Grouse ( Lagopus l. scoticus ) in Britain. Heather moorland is a distinctive hab- itat that supports an important assemblage breeding birds. Large areas managed pri- vate landowners shooting grouse. Although grouse benefits retaining heather moorland, it currently unclear whether directly other upland Human persecution has greatly restricted range abundance most species Following introduction bird protection laws, decline gamekeeping, restriction organochlorine pesti- cides, have started to recover. Persecution raptors on moors widespread limits Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus ), Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos ). In some circumstances, predation can reduce both density productivity Grouse. Limitation through likely occur where at high because alternative prey, low either poor cyclic nature populations. long term, habitat densities leading reductions den- sities More active intervention be required, however, remain viable short-term. Current research focused manipulating harrier diet diver- sionary feeding. Complementary needed investigate methods numbers locally while ensuring national status.