Case Study: Langholm Moor Demonstration Project
The Langholm Estate, owned by the Buccleuch Group, was the main site for a 'Joint Raptor Study' between 1992 and 1997, which investigated the relationships between hen harriers, peregrines and red grouse. By 1997, numbers of hen harriers had peaked at 26 breeding females and red grouse numbers had declined to 45 per km2. The Estate stopped grouse shooting and withdrew all keepers in 1998. Monitoring of raptor, grouse and other bird interests has continued on the moor and shown an annual progressive decline in all bird species since the withdrawal of keepers. Today the Langholm and Newcastleton Hills SSSI and SPA are classified as in regression and failing in both its SSSI and SPA objectives.
In 2005, Buccleuch Estates initiated a new effort to move forward the "Langholm" debate and the Langholm Project Group was formed, chaired by SNH and comprising Buccleuch Estates, the Game Conservancy Trust, RSPB and Natural England. The Project Group worked to develop a detailed Demonstration Project Plan with the aim of establishing Langholm Moor as a driven grouse moor which meets the nature conservation objectives for the SPA and SSSI. The Langholm Moor Demonstration Project was launched by Environment Minister Michael Russell in September 2007.
Project detail:
The Project is managed by a Board made up of the chief executives of the partner organisations, advised by an independent panel of eminent scientists. The "on the ground" management is being carried out by five keepers, a senior ecologist, two part-time ecologists and a project manager; the senior ecologist and a part-time ecologist are seconded from The Game Conservancy Trust, and other part-time ecologists seconded by the RSPB. Funding for the 10 years of the project is being provided by partners SNH (£973,491); Buccleuch Estates (£973,491); Game Conservancy Trust (£973,491); RSPB (£336,096); and Natural England (£168,052).
Covering 12,000 hectares, the Project aims to deliver a range of elements:
- Demonstration of how to resolve conflicts between moorland management for raptors and red grouse;
- The hen harrier population would be maintained as a viable component of the SPA;
- The heather moorland habitat would be extended and improved beyond its state in 2002; and
- The number of red grouse shot would be sufficient to ensure the moor reaches a financial viable state - with grouse moor management being the economic driver, but not necessarily making a financial profit.
These elements are to be reviewed every three years.
Project evaluation:
Five broad criteria have been devised to evaluate the success of the project:
- Compatibility between management for raptor and red grouse interests;
- A viable population of hen harrier in pursuance of EC Birds Directive;
- An economically viable number of red grouse for shooting;
- An increase in the extent and improved condition of heather moorland (dry heath and blanket bog) at Langholm beyond the baseline of that recorded in 2002;
- There should be substantial populations of passerines and waders.
These criteria will be considered in detail by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group, STAG, which advises on all scientific and technical matters, notably the results of the monitoring of the grouse moor, habitat and other management. STAG will make recommendations to the Project Board.
The Project will comprise three broad elements of work:-
- Moorland management - keepering team of 5 and associated activities. This will require very effective vermin control using all current legal methods including snaring (only snares with stops will be used)
- Monitoring - survey, surveillance and monitoring of red grouse, raptors and other species and habitat interests; and
- Project management, reporting and PR.
Buccleuch Estates and SNH are currently negotiating a new SSSI management agreement to deliver the agricultural management of the moor. This is crucial to allow for effective shepherding of sheep and cattle to deliver habitat objectives and tick control.
The Langholm Moor Demonstration Project will help to inform the work of Scotland's Moorland Forum and the discussions being organised by the Environment Council (on which all Partners are represented) on behalf of Natural England and its partners on ways reconcile the management of grouse with the conservation of hen harriers.
