Fox control saves threatened birds

Research published today by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) found that controlling foxes and carrion crows – which have seen greater numbers in recent decades – increased the breeding success of the ground-nesting birds by more than three times.

The study of four plots of moorland and marginal farmland in Northumberland compared one area which was managed by a gamekeeper throughout the study, one which had no keeper and two which switched between removing predators and not controlling them.

Control of predators also doubled the numbers of meadow pipits which fledged and trebled the breeding success of red grouse, the study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology said.

According to Dr Kathy Fletcher, upland scientist with the GWCT and author of the report, areas such as the North Pennines which are almost entirely managed for grouse shooting have high concentrations of wading bird species.

"Gamekeepers routinely reduce the number of predators on grouse moors and this is essential for boosting the red grouse population.

"Our work shows this also benefits species like lapwing, golden plover and curlew as well, " said Dr Fletcher.