RSPB on the hunt for scoters
Study looks at dwindling numbers, but no lack of habitat
RSPB are looking to pinpoint why numbers of common scoters are dwindling. They are rare breeding birds which are falling in number in the UK, and yet there are plenty of suitable habitats for this species in Scotland.
They are only found in a few locations in the Highlands, including the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland and at several lochs in Inverness-shire.
Concern among conservationists that this species may become locally extinct has prompted a three-year research project by the RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science.
The team now believes that a solution to the birds’ recovery might be found by restoring the balance between fish and invertebrates in common scoter habitat, and in some cases, angling could be one way to help restore the scoter population.
Dr Mark Hancock, from the RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science said: “Of all the lochs we investigated during this work, scoters bred most often at those with the shallowest water and the most large, freshwater invertebrates. It soon became clear that there were more insects where there were fewer brown trout, so it looks like scoters are being limited by a lack of food in places where the fish are eating it all.”
“We're now using these results to design new ways of helping scoters. For example, in areas of the north Highlands where angling activity has dropped off and fish numbers have increased, more trout angling is potentially one way to boost freshwater insect life. At hydro lochs, where water levels are to some extent under human control, we could also aim to maximise the area of shallow water.”
The common scoter project was supported by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV).