|
 |
 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| | You are in: UK: England | |||||||||||||||||||||
 | | Tuesday, 14 May, 2002, 14:47 GMT 15:47 UK Survey to help rare birds  The effect foxes have on bird numbers will be looked at A study looking at the effect of foxes, crows and stoats on endangered birds has begun in Northumberland. The eight-year survey is being carried out on heather moorland in Otterburn by a team of scientists from The Game Conservancy Trust. Researchers from the independent wildlife charity will attempt to measure the impact of predators on rare birds such as lapwing, golden plover and curlew. Dr Andrew Hoodless, of The Game Conservancy Trust, said: "Although the densities of some waders within our study area are low, we believe that there is potential for a significant increase within the time of the experiment. "The current breeding success of the waders is insufficient to maintain stable breeding populations, but this is typical of many moors without gamekeepers." The experiment comes amid widening recognition of the need to reform the way upland agriculture and land management are practised.
Grazing and heather burning is thought to have a beneficial effect on declining populations of birds, but active control of common predators - such as foxes - is more controversial. For the first time researchers plan to isolate the effects gamekeepers have on predators, such as foxes. The key focus will be on golden plover, curlew, snipe, lapwing, meadow pipit, skylark and black grouse. Researchers also intend to collect data on grey partridge, dipper, common sandpiper, redshank, oystercatcher, wheatear, whinchat, hen harrier and red grouse. Dr Hoodless added: "The next eight years will show whether predation control can reverse the fortunes of these birds." | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top England stories now:  Links to more England stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Links to more England stories |
 | | ^^ Back to top News Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | In Depth | AudioVideo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMIII|News Sources|Privacy  |
E-mail this story to a friend