The Year of the Wader 2014

Redshank are commonly found breeding
on keepered moorland

Last month the Scottish Gamekeeper's Association proposed to make 2014 into the "Year of the Wader", in an attempt to draw attention to the plight of upland waders across Scotland. 

Many gamekeepers, scientists and conservationists are deeply concerned about the decline of iconic waders across Scotland's uplands. The SGA points to the critical situation facing ground nesting waders in Wales, where a shortage of keepers and sound moorland management has led to the local collapses of many well-known wader species. A recent RSPB report identified work by gamekeepers as key to sustaining curlew populations in many areas, and the same report also identified commercial afforestation as a driving cause behind increased predator numbers and a subsequent decrease in ground-nesting birds.

Ground-nesting birds such as lapwing, curlew and golden plover breed up to three times more successfully on grouse moors; a result of careful moorland management and legal predator control by gamekeepers. Scotland has lost 56% of its lapwing and curlew in only 17 years, and while many conservationists blame climate change and habitat loss for these figures, the impact of predation is often under-played.

As part of the initiative, all grouse moors in Scotland will be invited to report counts of wading birds, as well as their productivity at two critical times of the year. These figures will provide an accurate picture of how waders are faring on keepered land and will offer a baseline for similar counts in future years. Officials also hope the data can drive a debate on how sound management for waders based upon legal predator control and heather management can be delivered in areas where populations continue to struggle.

More info can be found on the Year of the Wader 2014 at http://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/content/gamekeepers-announce-2014-sga-year-wader