SNH studies use of crow traps
SCOTTISH Natural Heritage (SNH) is appealing for information on the trapping of crows, magpies, rooks, jackdaws and jays.
The quango is asking members of gamekeeping and land management organisations to help with research about the birds – or corvids – and general licences.
They have commissioned Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust to research how and where corvid traps are currently used; how different trap types operate in different situations; and their effectiveness. The research will also assess welfare issues and inadvertent captures of other species.
Among the 14 general licenses operating this year are four relating to the control of common corvid birds.
The general licences list reasons why the birds may be killed, including conserving wild birds, preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables and fruit and preventing the spread of disease.
Under Scotland’s wildlife law all wild bird species are protected, but the control of some species is permitted by authorised persons and regulated by general licences. Their purpose is to allow birds to be effectively managed when there is clear need.
