Capercaillie Emergency Plan 2025 - 2030 - Flipbook - Page 28
Lethal control of foxes and crows
Past research has shown that lethally controlling foxes and crows can positively
impact capercaillie productivity. However, the predator community in capercaillie
areas has evolved since the method was last scientifically evaluated in the UK
around 20 years ago. To ensure that capercaillie populations are effectively
protected alongside our evolving predator community, there is a need to assess
the current impact of fox and crow control.
Pine marten populations have begun to recover in response to increased legal
protection and it is important to establish that management strategies are not
disadvantaging capercaillie by potentially benefiting pine marten, especially if
diversionary feeding is not in place to reduce the impact of pine marten predation.
As part of the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project a full-time gamekeeper was
employed from 2020 Ð 2023 to systematically control foxes and crows on open
ground around two lek sites in fragmented areas of forest on Castle Grant
(Seafield and Strathspey Estates). Diversionary feeding was not undertaken in
the area. During the period of fox and crow control - within and beyond 1.5km of
the target lek sites Ð the number of cocks attending the lek sites declined by 60%
at one site and 50% at the other. Annual brood counts in the target area showed
an 83% decrease in cocks, 50% decrease in hens, 100% decrease in broods and
86% decrease in chicks.
From 2020 Ð 2023 the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project also funded fox and crow
control on Rothiemurchus Estate which differs in habitat structure compared to
Castle Grant. The target lek sites were on neighbouring FLS ground where
diversionary feeding was also deployed. The leks were not counted in 2020 due to
the Covid pandemic, but from 2021 to 2023 the number of cocks attending the lek
sites stayed stable at one site and increased by 56% at the other. The brood count
results in the target area showed a 66% decrease in cocks, but a 50% increase in
hens, a 100% increase in chicks and the number of broods found remained stable.
Analysis of predator activity on Castle Grant, Rothiemurchus Estate and
neighbouring FLS ground is needed in relation to these insights to assess the
impact of fox and crow control on other predators, including pine marten.
Objective
Assess the current activity of predators in relation to capercaillie hen densities
and breeding performance in areas where predator management strategies
are in place.
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