QR
e102 1998 and 1999
3(2D RAPTOR ROUND UP

Produced by the
Scottish Ornithologists’ Club
on behalf of all
Scottish Raptor Study Groups
with grant aid from
Scottish Natural Heritage

SCOTTISH
NATURAL
HERITAGE

——

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Supplement to Scottish Birds Volume 22 2001
ISSN 0036 9144

Introduction

This 2 year edition of the Raptor Round Up has had a long and sometimes painful gestation, bedevilled
by a whole series of delays and problems. These have finally been overcome and this report — for 1998
and 1999 — is the final result.

During this period birds of prey continued to occupy the political stage in Scotland. A vigorous and not
always well informed debate in the general and specialised press rumbled on, focussing on the inter-
related issues of illegal raptor persecution and legalised raptor culling.

Against this background birds of prey generally did well but marked exceptions to this trend persisted.
Hen Harriers, as ever, held the dubious distinction of being Scotland’s most persecuted bird. Golden
Eagles still had ‘holes’ in their breeding distribution with no obvious ecological explanation for such
gaps. Some Northern Goshawk populations did not expanded as well as others — the differences almost
certainly attributable to persecution. Red Kites — in all other respects a great success story - experienced
levels of poisoning that may restrict their rate of expansion. Not all poor performance was persecution
related. Far northern and western Peregrine Falcons showed low levels of site occupancy in some areas.
Orkney Hen Harriers — free of human interference — continued to decline, a situation that is being
examined in a dedicated research programme. However, there was continuing good news for Common
Buzzards, Ospreys and White-tailed Eagles and not all populations of the persecuted species suffered
from this chronic problem.

The future of the Raptor Round Up itself is now in some doubt. Some RSG workers have expressed the
view that the new SNH/BTO raptor monitoring proposals will automatically mean the end of the Round
Up. Others have said that the 2 things are not mutually exclusive and should continue in parallel. I offer
no view of my own on this issue except to say that it should be resolved by a collective decision of the
Groups. A 2000 Raptor Round Up already exists in embryonic form.

Keith Morton

This report was written by Keith Morton with layout and editing input from Sylvia Laing, Bob
Dawson and Helen Cameron. It is based on material supplied by Scottish Raptor Study Group
members. The Scottish Raptor Study Group logo was designed and drawn by Keith Brockie.

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Red Kite Milvus milvus
Central Scotland
occupied successful chicks fledged
1998 2 2 5
1999 6 4 5

1998 - A first year male was established on another
territory. Territory occupation/breeding progress
is 2 years ahead of that of the northern release. A
Red Kite was found poisoned some distance to
the north of the release area in March. Twenty
further new birds were introduced from Germany.

Highland

checked — occupied laid
1998 38 28 23
1999 48 Bye 30

1998 — In addition to the 28 territories occupied by
pairs, 4 territories held single adults. The numbers
of pairs laying eggs showed no increase on the
previous year. This is thought to be due to a
combination of poor spring weather deterring
new pairs from nesting and low recruitment of
new breeding pairs. However, in terms of the
number of pairs rearing broods and the total
number of young fledged, 1998 was the most
successful breeding season experienced so far.
Forty one of the 44 young reared were marked
(bright blue tag on the left wing - regional colour
code - lime green tag on the right wing - year
colour code - with a unique inscription - single
white letter, white number or red symbol - on both
tags). A male Black Isle chick from 1996 was
located at a kite roost in Central region in the
company of locally released birds. He paired with
a2 year old local and successfully reared 2 young.

hatched

1999 — A seventh potential pair of birds spent
some days together over an ill defined area that
may prove to be a future territory. A sixth chick
hatched but fell out of the nest and was predated.
All young were wing tagged. One bird was found
poisoned close to the eastern edge of the release
area and a number of other poisonings in this
immediate area gave cause for concern. Twenty
further new birds were introduced from Germany.

successful chicks fledged
21 20 44
22 54

This is the first record of a North Scotland kite
breeding away from the core area.

Four Red Kites were found dead during 1998 in
Highland. Three of these were poisoned. No
cause of death was found for the fourth, a tideline
corpse near North Kessock.

A 1997 Black Isle chick was seen in south east
Iceland from 15 December 1997 and throughout
1998. This remarkable sighting (1,017km north
west) constitutes the first ever record of a Red Kite
in Iceland. There were more normal winter
sightings of Highland tagged birds from Tiree,
Tayside, Kyle of Lochalsh and Strathspey. Further
afield were 2 birds in Ireland (Co. Clare and Co.
Cork) and a single bird at Rhayader in Wales.

1999 - In terms of the number of pairs rearing
broods and the total number of young fledged,
1999 was the most successful breeding season
experienced so far. There was a 30% increase in
the number of young reared compared to 1998. It
has been suggested that there should be a greater
number of pairs than actually exists at the present
in North Scotland. Low recruitment in 1997 may
be to blame for this.

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

The breeding results would have been even higher
but for the miserably cold weather experienced
during mid May and early June which caused
several inexperienced pairs to fail. A bird from
North Scotland area was recovered dead under
power lines near Bilbao, Spain in May.

Angus Hogg

White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
occupied laid successful chicks fledged
1998 iy 2 9 13
1999 18 15/16 6 I]
10 Year Summary

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
No of pairs or trios 9 8 8 10 10 12 13-15 18-18 15-16
No of areas occupied [210 10 10 11 14 14 14 18 20
No of clutches laid 9 8 9 6 8 9 12 11-13 16-17 15-16
No of clutches known 2 4 4 4 4 6 6 9 9
to have hatched
No of broods fledging 2) A 4 4 4 ) | 5 9 6
Young
No of young fledged ) ao! 7 5 5 7 9 9 13 1]
Cumulative no of 4 4 5 5 5 6 8 7) 12 12

territories producing
young

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

The second phase of the release programme begun
in 1993 was concluded in 1998 with the import of
the final batch of chicks from Norway. Between
1993 and 1998 a total of 59 birds were released.

In 1998&99 successful pairs fledged a total of 13
chicks. This included the first birds to breed from
the second phase release - 2 pairs - and a new
Scottish bred pair which had failed in 1997.
Breeding success figures would have been better
but for the attention of egg collectors who robbed
2 established and normally productive pairs. Eggs
stolen at one of these sites were within a few days
of hatching.

1999 was the second most successful year since
the reintroduction project began 24 years ago. A
total of 11 young fledged from Scottish nests, 2
less than in 1998. All nest failures were attributed
to natural causes, although disturbance was
suspected at one site. One pair failed when an
apparently healthy 3 week old chick fell out of the
nest. One of the birds released in 1998 was found
dead (of natural causes) in Sutherland. Of the 59
released in the second phase only 3 have been
recovered dead.

The cumulative number of pairs to have
successfully produced young remains unchanged
and 12.

John Love

Hen Harrier

Orkney
breeding breeding _ nesting
females males attempts
1998 46 pH 34
1999 17 24

1998 - This season saw the start of a PhD study
into Orkney’s Hen Harriers.

The results from 1998 show a very similar pattern
to that of recent years. In Orkney as a whole where
46 females and 27 females of which 39 females
and 21 males were in the West Mainland, 5 pairs
were on Hoy and 2 females with one male were on
Rousay. The number of males in the West
Mainland is higher than thought in 1996/97 but
the difference is mainly in the number of first year
birds (5 in 1998). One of the Hoy males was also
a first year.

Twelve of the females (11 in the West Mainland
and one on Rousay) were non breeders but 34
females (28 West Mainland, 5 on Hoy and one on
Rousay) did attempt to nest. Eight of the West
Mainland females did not lay so the success of 26
nests with contents was followed. Twelve of
these (9 in the West Mainland and 3 on Hoy) failed
at the egg stage while a further 5 (all in the West
Mainland) failed at the chick stage. There were
thus only 9 successful nests (6 West Mainland, 2
Hoy, and one Rousay) which produced a total of
20 fledged young (11 West Mainland, 5 on Hoy
and 4 on Rousay).

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Circus cyaneus

laid hatched fledged chicks
fledged

26 14 ) 20

21 10 10 21

1999 - Inthe West Mainland study area 32 females
and 20 males - of which 4 were first year males -
were located. Twelve of the females were non
breeders but of the 20 which did attempt to nest
only 18 laid eggs. Ten of the nests failed during
incubation but 8 hatched young. In addition, one
of the failed females successfully re laid to give a
total of 9 broods. From these a total of 20 young
fledged, a productivity of 2.2 young per successful
nest of 1.0 per breeding female.

On Hoy, 4 pairs attempted to nest. At one site
nesting material was carried in; it is not known
whether eggs were laid but this site did not rear
young. Another site failed during incubation and
another at the chick stage. The fourth nest reared
2 chicks,

On Rousay a female and an adult male were seen
occasionally but no nest was ever found and no
young were reared.

The overall Orkney totals were thus 25 males (of
which 4 were first years) and 37 females (of which
13 were non breeders). The 24 females which
attempted to breed laid at least 21 clutches from
which 22 young were reared. The improved
breeding success of the birds which bred in the
West Mainland is thought to be due to the
supplementary feeding being carried out as an
experimental part of a the PhD study.

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Lothian and Borders

1998 — Five pairs were seen but only one was
allowed to breed and this subsequently failed.

Lammermuirs — | pair seen early which then
disappeared;

Moorfoots - 3 pairs possibly present, one predated
at large young stage;

Pentlands - one territorial pair.

1999 - Ten pairs were known but only 3 pairs
within the Borders portion of the Langholm study
area raised any young.

Pentlands - one pair and an extra female were seen
in one area from mid April to early May. A male
was seen 2-3km away from this in early May.
There were no further sightings.

Moorfoots - There was a pair in one area April-
May, seen skydancing but with no evidence of
nesting. An extra male was seen on one occasion.
A pair at another site c 4km away was seen in mid
April and were skydancing in late May.

Lammermuirs - A male was seen at one site in
April and another displaying at another site in
May. There was an unsubstantiated report that a
male and 3 females were killed in the
Lammermuirs.

Tweedsmuir Hills —a male was displaying in early
April and pair at the end if the month. Nothing
more was seen on 2 visits in mid and late May. A
pair were prospecting and male displayed at
different site but no nest was found.

Langholm Area (Borders only) — Three pairs
fledged 7 young.

Elsewhere — A pair was present in the Newcastleton
area (outwith the Langholm study area) with no
evidence of success. A pair was present south of
Hawick.

Argyll

1998 - Selected 10km squares were surveyed in
Argyll by RSG members and RSPB field staff as
part of the national survey. Fifty two territorial
pairs were located in these squares and the study
area. Some of these survey squares in Kintyre,
Islay and Jura held up to 5 pairs (probable plus
possible). Quoting just these higher figures would
obscure the overall picture. Some surveyors
found no harriers in their chosen squares including
one square in mid Argyll which supported none
for the first time in 10 years of study. Based on
this data an extrapolated figure of 124 pairs was
estimated for Argyll (25% of the extrapolated
Scottish population). The RSPB Loch Gruinart
reserve had a good year for Hen Harriers with nine
territories occupied and 5 successful pairs raising
12 chicks.

Where causes of nest failure were identified, most
appeared to be natural including a site that was
predated by a Fox on Cowal. However the presence
of adult female feathers at another failed nest on
Cowal and the remains of a dead adult female at a
site on Bute are of more concern.

1999 - sample sites were monitored on Mull, Islay
(including the RSPB Reserve at Loch Gruinart)
Mid Argyll, Knapdale, Kintyre, Cowal and Bute.
At Loch Gruinart reserve it was a poor season with
only 3 pairs producing 8 young. On Bute, one nest
fledged 2 chicks and also contained 2 further
chicks which failed to develop primaries and died.
(These symptoms have been seen once previously,

ae »

Andrew Stevenson

6 1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up
occupied laid fledged chicks fledged young per
successful territory
1998 (47-52)? 27° - 18 a2 2.88
1999 (27) 24° ZA 16 39+ 2.43

1998 - The survey required proof of occupation but did not require nests to be located and breeding success to
be followed up. This explains the discrepancy between the large numbers of occupied territories and the far
smaller figures for nests completely monitored by group members.

+ 1998 - Numbers in brackets are all probable plus all possible pairs located.

t¢£ 1999 - Numbers in brackets include all pairs located, including territorial pairs present in early spring but

which did not stay to breed.

* 1998 No of sites fully monitored (included in the number of probable and possible pairs) for breeding

SUCCESS.

** 1999 No of sites (included in the total) that were fully monitored for breeding success.

North East

1998 — The national survey resulted in good
coverage. Persecution continued to be recorded
as the major cause of failure with adults
dissappearing from anumber of local populations.

pairs outcome
unknown
1998 pe | +
1999 14 1

Central

1998 — The partial coverage of the area suggests
a poor season. For one of the 3 failed pairs this
was the second year running that this has happened.
One pair may have been successful but the result
was not confirmed.

checked failed

1998 4 3
1999 5 1

1999 — 1999 was a another poor year for harriers.
In lower Deeside, where there were usually 15 or
SO pairs each year in the 1970s and 80s, there were
only two pairs. One was definitely persecuted and
the other probably so.

failed successful chicks
fledged
17 6 18/19+
6 7 19

1999 — There were a few records from the south
east of the group’s area including 2 females and a
male present in spring at one location. In
Dunbartonshire one pair reared 4young, one paired
reared 3 young, one pair failed and one additional
pair was present.

fledged chicks fledged

1? ?

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Tayside

1998 — In Perthshire fewer pairs were located than
previously but mean productivity of successful
pairs was high. There were 17 pairs West of the
A9 and 25 in the core area East of the A9. One
bigamous male was successful with both broods
but there were a lot of “spare” birds around.

In Angus 2pairs were located, of which one was
successful. In both cases the male of the pair was
a first summer bird — indicative of persecution in
the area. The successful pair laid 7 eggs of which
3 hatched. The number of pairs in Angus is far
below the carrying capacity — again indicative of
persecution.

1999 — In Perthshire coverage was lower in the
main study area than in 1998. Early failures were
attributed to heavy rain and productivity was
slightly down on the previous year. There appears
to be acontinued gradual decline in the west of the
area.

Dumfries & Galloway and South
Strathclyde

1998 — Overall this was a record year for breeding
in south west Scotland, with more pairs occupying
territory than ever recorded before. However this
number is certainly bolstered by the situation at

occupied _ fledged chicks
fledged

1998
Perthshire 42 7 61+
Angus 2 It 2+
Total 44 18 63+
1999
Perthshire 23 13 37
Angus 3 2 6
Total 25 ES) 43

In Angus 2 pairs succeeded — the best performance
since monitoring started in 1983 but almost
certainly only a fraction of the area’s true carrying
capacity with persecution the most likely cause of
this situation.

Langholm where the species continues to enjoy
protection. In addition, the simple occupation
figures mask a high level of persecution in many
areas away from Langholm especially in upper

occupied laid successful failed outcome chicks
(human) unknown fledged

1998
S.Strath. 44 31 13/14 22 (20) 9 46+
D&G 34 Pia} 20 9 (5) 5 63+
Total 78 58 33/34 31 (25) 14 109+
1999
S.Strath 34 34 7. 27(17)+ 1 18
D&G 20 16 10 6(5) 0 30+
Total 54 50 17 BI(22) I 48+

Nithsdale and around Muirkirk where productivity
is consistently low.

1999 - Persistent persecution in upper Nithsdale is
fast reducing the breeding population, with only 3
breeding attempts in 1999 (all unsuccessful).
Several years ago some 10 to 12 pairs were
regularly attempting to breed in this area but this
has been greatly reduced by nest destruction and
almost certainly by the killing of the females at the
nest. This sub population is likely to be reduced
to sporadic breeding attempts by prospecting pairs.
Heavy persecution also remains apparent in South
Strathcyde in the Muirkirk area resulting in a
mean of only 0.53 chicks produced for each
occupied territory.

Highland

1998 — The late spring and cool wet summer of
1998 resulted in a below average breeding season
for unpersecuted pairs. A sample of 15 nests gave
a mean clutch size of 4.8, slightly below the long
term average. Brood sizes tended to be on the
small size with 4 b/2, 5 b/3, 4b/4 and a single b/5
from the sample of 23 nests. This gives a mean
brood size of 1.9 young per breeding pair and 3.1
per pair rearing young. Nine nests (39%) failed
completely. The causes were: unknown (1-2);
persecution (5-6); natural predation (2).

laid hatched
1998
Sutherland q 6
E Ross 2 2
Bad & Strath 4 (0)
Nairn | |
W Moray 9 8

Total 23 17

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

1999 - In contrast to the 1998 survey year 1999
was a poor year for data collection of this species
the Highland area. Only 10 active nests were
checked, the lowest number since 1987. The high
number of nests monitored in the period 1989 to
1995 correspond with a long term RSPB study
involving wing tagging of young. There was a
brief resurgence in the number of nests recorded
in 1998, the year of anational Hen Harrier breeding
survey. The recent reduction in the number of
nest records submitted could reflect either a lack
of effort by the group or may mirror a general
decline in the number of breeding pairs present.
There is some evidence to suggest the latter. No
harriers were recorded at 5 traditional breeding
sites which did receive repeated visits in the
spring of 1999. All were on active grouse moors,
3 in east Inverness and 2 in Badenoch and
Strathspey. This could suggest that persistent
persecution 1s now having an impact on the number
of pairs not only on sporting estates but also on
other moors throughout our study area.

Most of the nest records submitted in 1999 were
not on driven grouse moors, so that nesting success
of the sample (70%) was higher than the long term
average (see table below). Mean brood size in
1999 at 2.0 young per clutch laid and 2.9 young
per successful nest was close to the long term
average.

fledged chicks fledged
5 3
2 f)
0 0
| 4
6 20
14 44

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up 9

Hen Harrier breeding success in Highland and west Moray, 1989 to 1999

Niedr laid fledged nesting chicks Mean brood per Mean brood
success fledged successful nest per clutch
% nest laid
1989 36 19 53% 63 a3 1.8
1990 38 25 66% ad, a 2.0
1991 34 21 62% 60 29 1.8
1992 47 28 60% 104 ot) De
1993 50 24 48% 1 oa Ee)
1994 >i DS 49% 78 Sr 1:5
1995 43 24 56% 83 oe) 1.9
1996 19 13 68% 40 oll Za
19977 12 ) 170 26 29 Dd
1998 23 14 61% 44 ol 1.9
1999 10 7 710% 20 29 20)
1989-99 = 363 209 58% 670 3.2 1.8

tj
fe
a

Nick Picozzi

10 1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
Borders

checked occupied laid hatched fledged
chicks
1998 46 38 35 26 28 46
1999 a0 43 36 a 29 73

1998 — Twenty four of the nests were on Forest
Enterprise ground, the rest in private woodlands.
A high proportion of the many failures were
around egg laying time and also around hatching
time. This was attributed to the severe weather
which had a marked effect on the season as a
whole. There were 1.2 chicks produced per
occupied site. No incidents of direct persecution
were recorded although human interference is still
considered to be the main factor limiting Border
Goshawks. Six new sites were discovered, which
highlights the feeling that if more woods could
be checked yet more new sites would be
discovered. Goshawks are now confirmed to be
established in Berwickshire, although one of the

Central Scotland

1998 - One successful pair was recorded with at
least two young reared and a second pair seen
elsewhere. It is suspected that up to five or six
pairs may attempt to breed annually in the Group’s
area.

(RARER MEERA NCSC

chicks from the site was found dead on the nest
from frounce - not recorded in South Scotland/
North England since 1991. All previous cases of
frounce have resulted in the death of the entire
brood.

1999 — A marked improvement on 1998 with over
50% more chicks fledged. Clutches of 5 were
common and one clutch of 6 was recorded. There
were |.7 chicks produced per occupied site.

1999 — The single recorded pair reared 4 young.
There were various records of single birds seen
elsewhere.

Arthur Gilpin

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

North East

1998 — No specific data are available but the
general picture reported was of a high failure rate
due to spring snow.

checked pairs found nests found

ol 17 16

North East RSG fieldworkers have noted the
marked difference in rate of expansion between
their Goshawk population and that in the English/
Scottish Border country. Borders goshawks have
had at least a 25-fold increase in breeding numbers
between the 1970s and the present whereas the

Tayside

1998 - One,successful nest was reported in Angus
which fledged 3 young. There may be a second
site.

Dumfries & Galloway

1998 — Prior to 1999 there was no attempt made
to assess the size of the breeding Goshawk
population in the region, although there is no
doubt that the species is fairly widespread with
breeding pairs reported in all three counties. The
following information is derived from a few ad
hoc records recorded from various sources.

fledged

I]

1999 — The following data are from the Dee and
Don catchments between Huntly and Fettercairn

chicks fledged
is) 31+

North East population has barely doubled over
the same period. This has been attributed to
substantial differences in the levels of direct
persecution.

1999 — Two successful nests were recorded in
Angus with 2 and 4 young of which at least 4
certainly fledged

In the Forest Park at least 2 pairs bred, one
successfully, with a single male seen regularly in
a third location. In Dumfriesshire 2 pairs were
located, one known to be successful with 3 chicks,
and 2 further sites were apparently unoccupied.
There were reports of persecution in Nithsdale
but nothing substantive was discovered.

1999 — More quantitative data were available for 1999 with results as follows.

checked occupied laid
10 8 7

fledged

chicks fledged
2) 9+

12

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Common Buzzard

Argyll

1998 & (1999) checked occupied
young fledged

SW Mull 22+ (-) 22+ (-)
20) (25)

Colonsay - (48) 19 (18)
7 (14)

Cowal: Glenbranter - (-) 26 (31)
8 (29)

Cowal: Elsewhere - (-) 12 (40)
5 (-)

Bute 4 (-) 4 (4)

8 (3)

Total - (-) 83 (-)
48 (-)

1998 - Monitoring data was obtained from several
areas including data from 16 nests on SW Mull
and coverage of all of Colonsay/Oronsay.

1999 - Large samples were monitored again in
several areas. On Colonsay/Oronsay Rabbit
populations were low in 1999. Coupled with poor
weather during the breeding season this led to the

North East

The Buzzard population in the 15km/? area between
Kemnay and Dunecht on the Old Castle Fraser
estate was surveyed in both 1998 and 1999. A
total of 20 breeding sites were located by searching
woods or shelter belts for old nests. Breeding
pairs were then located s they displayed in the
spring and their subsequent breeding success
recorded. The density of breeding pairs varied
from 1.26/km? (1998) to 1.13/km2 (1999) and site
occupancy fell from 100% to 80%. There was no
evidence of persecution. Productivity was similar
in both years (1.59 young/occupied site in 1998;
1.58 young/occupied site in 1999) as was the

Buteo buteo

fledged
15 (16)
5 (10)
8 (23)
4 (-)

4 (2)

36 (-)

poorest productivity recorded in 10 years. In the
Cowal, Glenbranter study area 26 occupied
territories were identified and 8 successful pairs
fledged only 8 young. Only one of the monitored
pairs throughout Cowal produced more than one
chick. Observations suggest that pairs nesting in
the extreme south of Cowal, south of
Tighnabruaich, may have fared a little better.

number of young fledged per successful site (1.88
young/successful site in 1998; 1.93 young/
successful site in 1999),

In 1998 only, the Buzzard population on a large
part (35km/*) of Dunecht estate was also surveyed.
The density was 1.0 pairs/km?. Site occupancy in
1999 was known to be similar but breeding data
were not collected. The difference in breeding
density between the 2 study areas is thought to
reflect habitat differences with more open areas
without suitable breeding sites on Dunecht estate.
The results are shown in the following table.

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

13

Kenmay/Dunecht (15km7’) Dunecht (35km7’)

1998 1999 1998
checked 19 19 37
sites/km? L2H 127 1.06
occupied by a single bird 0 0 pi
occupied by a pair [9 17 34
pairs/ km? 27 PTs 1.03
failed 2 3 6
successful 17 14 30
min. no. young fledged a2 27 61
mean young/occupied site 1.68 too 1.69
mean young/ successful site 1.88 1.93 2203
mean young/ km? 20) 1.8 1.74

Highland

The Highland RSG received details of the
breeding performance of 96 pairs of Buzzards in
1998 and 102 pairs in 1999 (of which 99 were

1998 & (1999) occupied laid

N & W Sutherland 12 (24) 12522)
Skye and Small Isles* 14 (8*) 14 (8*)
Easter Ross 58 (52) 53 (49)
Strathspey 58 (8) 53 (8)
Others Cg) Tia)
Total 96 (99) 91 (94)

+ 1999 figures are for Skye only

sufficiently complete to include in the table). The
most complete and detailed study in both years
was that done in Easter Ross to the east of Tain.

hatched fledged chicks fledged

11 (20) 11d9) 18 (34)

14 (8) 14 (8) 22( 10)
45 (42) 42 (38) 94 (71)
45 (8) 42 (7) 94 (18)
TAT) TG) 18 (18)

78 (85) TOC) 155 (151)

* These figures should be treated with caution as nests were mainly checked late in the season and early failures

may have been missed

1998 - Overall a good year for breeding Buzzards
in the Highland area. In the main Easter Ross
study area 58 pairs were carefully followed. Mean
clutch size was once again 2.8. The mean brood
6 of successful pairs was 2.4, but due to the 21%
of pairs that failed, only 1.6 young were fledged
per territorial pair. These productivity figures
were slightly higher than normal and the highest

recorded since 1992.

In the second main study area, the north and west
of Sutherland, breeding success was slightly lower
than in Easter Ross with most birds rearing only
1 or 2 chicks. None reared more than 2, whereas
in Easter Ross, of the 39 successful broods, 19
had more than 2 chicks. However, only one of
the Sutherland pairs failed totally, compared with
11 of the Easter Ross pairs. The breeding success
in Sutherland was well below the 1997 record of

14

2.3 young per pair. This was almost certainly due
to the summer weather conditions which were far
wetter and windier than the unusually warm, dry
summer of 1997.

Details were received from a new area in the west,
Skye and the Small Isles (mainly Eigg and Canna).
The overall pattern of success there was very
similar to that in NW Sutherland.

Strathspey productivity was again very low with
4 out of 5 monitored nests failing. At 3 of these
sites persecution from estates engaged in game
management was strongly suspected. Prior to an
increase in game management, these 3 sites had
been very successful over a 15 year period.

The figures from other areas suggest a very high
success rate. These figures, however, are almost
certainly biased towards successful nests as very
little systematic searching is done to locate all
nests early on in the breeding cycle, so that early
breeding failures were missed, inflating the overall
success rate.

1999 — this was considered an average year for
Buzzards in the Highland Group’s area. The close
study of 52 pairs in the Tain area of Easter Ross
revealed a mean clutch size of 2.8. Mean brood
size of successful pairs was low at 1.9 and a 22%
failure rate meant that only 1.4 chicks fledged per
territorial pair. This is at the bottom end of the
recorded range of productivity. This was
attributed to cool, wet weather during June.

In the other main study area in north and west
Sutherland breeding success was similar to 1998
and similar to that recorded in Easter Ross. There
were few total failures but most pairs reared only
1 or 2 chicks.

In contrast to 1998 productivity from the few pairs
monitored in Strathspey was good with only one

cunrnoemne

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

failure and half the pairs producing 3 chicks. No
persecution was recorded in 1999 whereas it was
considered to be the main factor in failures in
1998.

Skye appeared to have a poor season and the
figures may overstate productivity since many
sites were only checked late in the season and
some early failures may have been missed. A
similar situation applies with the “others” data in
the table (mainly from the Black Isle and
Strathpeffer areas).

Overall, however, Highland Buzzards continue to
do well with productivity fluctuating only slightly
and being sufficient to sustain a healthy and
expanding population.

Lothian and Borders

During 1998 and 1999 both the Borders and
Lothian continued to see substantial re-
colonisation by Buzzards. In the Borders the
species remained significantly commoner in its
core areas in the north and west of the region with
an estimated minimum there of 350 pairs in 1998
and 357 in 1999. In the south and east of the
region the species is still much more thinly spread
but re-colonisation continues. In this part the
minimum number of pairs was 56 in 1998 and 41
in 1999,

The Lothian Buzzard population also continued
its spectacular success story and further expansion
and in filling took place. The following table
summarises the productivity this situation between
1993 and 1999.

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Lothian Buzzards

Territorial pairs
Successful pairs

Total young recorded
Chicks per successful pair
Chicks per territorial pair

1999

86
66
159
2.4
1.85

1997

62
45
128
2.86
2.05

1996

52
38
102
2.68
1.96

1995

50
/6:
91
2.10
1.82

1994

33
2
37
1.76

Le

Andrew Stevenson

Vis}

1993

16

Golden Eagle

Central Scotland

checked occupied
1998 2 7
1999 & 8

1998 - Full coverage was achieved. Single birds
were recorded in the 2 unoccupied ranges.

Tayside

1998 and (1/999) checked occupied
W of AY 16 (/4) 10 (/3)
E of A9 13 (13) 12 1)
Total 29 (27) 22 (22)

1998 - West of the A9 had a very poor year, even
by West Perthshire standards. Two sites failed on
eggs — both clutches were analysed and both had
failed with no embryo development having taken
place. One clutch was from a home range with
extremely poor food resources in the west of the
area which habitually fails at the egg stage. The
other was on the edge of a grouse moor with good
bird and Hare resources close by but on a very
open ledge, probably a victim of poor weather.
The anomaly of no breeding in part of the relatively
food rich east end of the study area continues.
Although forestry plantation in one range 1s likely
to be affecting food supply, a further 5 territories
are apparently ideal for these birds. A complete
lack of signs of birds in the most western territory
in Perthshire is worrying, particularly as it follows
a long term failure to produce.

East of the A9 there was a reasonable season with
weather probably the cause of poor success in
areas like Glen Clova.

1999 - West of the A9 only 4 nests reached the
laying stage and 2 of these failed. The production

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Aquila chrysaetos

successful chicks fledged
5 2
5 6

1999— At one otherwise successful site the uneaten
remains of the 4 week old second chick were
found at a regular perch used by the adults.

fledged chicks fledged
2 (2) 2+ (2)
7 (6) 11+ (9)
9 (8) 13+ (dD)

of the few succesful nests in the study area - and
always the same ones - must be crucial to the
whole local population.

Argyll

1998 — the number of successful pairs was a little
lower than the previous year dropping to 22 (25 in
1997) and 27 fledged young produced compared
to 31/32 in 1997. Five sets of twins were fledged
for the second consecutive year. In the study area
on South mainland Argyll the season was described
as pretty poor and extremely confusing in some
areas where it proved difficult to assign non-
breeding birds to particular territories.

An adult Golden Eagle was caught in a Fox snare
on the Cowal in April and although released
unharmed this may have contributed to the lack of
a breeding attempt in this territory. A Golden
Eagle was found poisoned close to a known nest
site ina mid Argyll territory that has had a singular
lack of breeding success for many years. While it
was estimated that it had been dead for 3 to 4
weeks a very freshly dead Hare and lamb were

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

checked occupied _ fledged
1998 61 54 Zz
1999 61 a7 16

found laid as poisoned baits nearby and a live
immature eagle was seen in the area.

1999 — Overall this year had a poor breeding
season in Argyll especially in the south Argyll

Dumfries & Galloway

1998 - Two pairs attempted to breed, both
producing eggs but only one pair being successful,
fledging a single chick. This latter success was
due in large part to the dedicated efforts of 2 local
RSG members who together co ordinated and
largely carried out a nest protection scheme. At
least one immature bird continues to be seen in a
recently deserted territory.

North East RSG

occupied laid
1998 18 15
1999

1998 — Eighteen pairs is now the usual number of
birds present. No singles were reported. One
chick was reared in each of two sites on one estate
where persecution has been rife, probably be-
cause both were in new eyries and so avoided
notice and persecution. Generally a good year

7,

% occupied chicks chicks per

territories to fledged successful

fledge pair
40.7% 27+ 22
28.0% 17 1.06

mainland study area where it was described as
‘utterly miserable and the worst year on record’ by
the RSG workers concerned. Although site
occupancy was slightly up on 1998 productivity
was much poorer and only one set of twins fledged.

1999 — Two pairs again attempted to breed. One
pair hatched at least one chick which disappeared
after about a week. This was probably due to the
severe weather in mid May but human interference
has not been entirely discounted. The eggs at the
other site failed to hatch, possibly due to inadvertent
disturbance by stalkers. Discussions with the site
managers have hopefully prevented this happening
again in future.

The Golden Eagle’s tenure in Dumfries and
Galloway as a breeding species remains precarious
and every effort to enhance habitat and protect
sites should be made.

successful chicks fledged

10 14(+2)

although all the birds that use high nests failed due
to the cold wet spring. One site seems to have
been occupied by an old bird or pair of old birds
for several years now and they do not appear to be

laying eggs.

18

Highland

1998 - The 92 pairs monitored for breeding success
throughout the Highland area in 1998 was much
the same as in previous years. Records were well
distributed across the area, with the usual tendency
for more pairs to be checked in the west than the
east. Comparatively few pairs were checked in
North Lochaber (the area between Kyle of Lochalsh
and Fort William) compared with previous years.
Typically, for most pairs, information was
incomplete for the middle part of the breeding
season, notably for the nestling period. Therefore,
as in previous years, the results are presented to
show ultimate breeding success figures only. A
small number of pairs for which data on ultimate
breeding success were either incomplete of
uncertain have been excluded.

The overall breeding success was substantially
higher than the long term average. The shortage
of records from North Lochaber, where success is
generally quite poor, probably contributed to this.
However, all areas tended to show relatively good
success, especially in the west, and in both Skye
and the Small Isles performance was conspicuously
good.

One clutch of 3 eggs was reported from Strathspey,
although none of these hatched. There is continued
evidence of human persecution at a number of

1998 & (1999) checked fledged
NW Suth./NW Ross 18 (S) 10 (4)
E Ross/E Suth/S’ pey 15:23) 7)
Skye & Lochalsh 32 (32) 16 (15)
N Lochaber Zl) 0 (0)
S Lochaber 20 (20) 6 (5)
Small Isles 5 (3) A (2)
Total 92 (79) 43 (32)

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

sites in the east of the region. Although the
summer period was wetter than average, the early
spring was comparatively mild. The latter was
probably one factor contributing to the generally
good breeding success reported in 1998.

1999 — The number of pairs monitored was
appreciably less than the usual 90 to 100 although
records continued to be well distributed across the
area albeit with the usual tendency for more pairs
to be checked in the west. As in 1998, few North
Lochaber pairs were checked and this year fewer
than usual were visited in Wester Ross and
Sutherland. Again, for most pairs, information
was incomplete for the middle part of the breeding
season, notably for the nestling period. Therefore,
as in previous years, the results are presented to
show ultimate breeding success figures only and
data on a small number of pairs for which data on
ultimate breeding success were either incomplete
of uncertain have been excluded.

Productivity was below the long term average and
was generally similar across the region except in
South Lochaber where it was low. Several failures
were attributed to human persecution, notably in
Strathspey where an adult and chick were found
poisoned on the nest. This pattern is consistent
with previous years.

chicks fledged yng/successful pair

10 (4) 1.00 (1.00)
8 (9) 1.14 (1.50)
24 (17) 1.50 (1.13)
0 (0) 0.00 (0.00)

8 (5) 1.33 (1.00)

5 (2) 1.25 (1.00)
55 (37) 1.26 (1.16)

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Osprey

1998 & (1999) occupied laid
Highland 64 (69) 59 (65)
Tayside 41 (45) 36 (39)
Rest 25(22) 2127)
Total 130 (136) 116 (125)

1998 - Highland

1988 was another good year for Highland Ospreys
with a good start to the season and a record
number of successful pairs. Sixty four pairs were
found - 5 more than in 1997 - with one other site
holding a single male. Egg collectors destroyed 5
breeding attempts. Only one other nest failed to
hatch. In the third week of May, the wind moved
to the north east and was cold and there were
frequent, but not heavy, rains throughout the rest
of the season in the breeding areas. Heavy rains
in the mountains caused high river levels which
prevented male Ospreys catching enough fish in
one estuary, resulting in the loss of 3 small broods.
The failure of 3 further broods was attributed to
cold, wet weather. Forty seven pairs raised flying
young (7 more than in 1997) and 99 chicks
fledged (22 more than in 1997). There were 15
broods of 3, 22 broods of 2 and 10 singles.
Productivity was 1.55 young per pair with an
eyrie, 1.68 young per pair laying eggs. Mean
brood size was 2.11. Twelve chicks were collected
under licence by Roy Dennis for the English
release project. All of these fledged and migrated
successfully from Rutland Water.

1998 - Tayside

More pairs were located in 1998 but the final
outcome, in terms of numbers of young fledged,
was the same as 1997 at 61 chicks. Two new

Pandion haliaetus

hatched successful chicks
fledged
53 (56) 47 (47) 99 (9S)
32 (26) 28 (25) 61 (57)
17-7) 175) 32 (34)
102(99) 92 (87) 192 (183)

eyries were found on electricity pylons — there
are now 4 such nests. One long established female
was probably killed by another female which took
over the site. The original bird was a 1990 chick
from Aberdeenshire, the interloper was a 1994
chick from Nairn. Two large chicks died when
their nest fell out in high winds. The wind and
rain caused other nests to fail particularly at
hatching time. Fifty five young were colour
ringed.

1998 — Elsewhere

A slow expansion continues in the north east with
new fish ponds proposed in one part of the region
which will probably increase the attractiveness to
ospreys.

One new pair was found in Argyll which had a
markedly better season than in 1997. Several other
summering birds were seen and 6 Argyll chicks
were colour ringed.

Despite 2 new pairs recorded, Central Scotland
had a poor 1998 season. One pair failed to lay
and another produced a single runt chick without
proper feather growth. Two pairs used artificial
nests.

A number of summering birds were seen in

20

Dumfries and Galloway and some stick carrying
activity was recorded.

1999 — Highland

Although the numbers of occupied territories
continued to increase in 1999 and more pairs laid
eggs and hatched chicks than ever before, the final
score of fledged chicks was one down on 1998.
A severe storm on 21 May destroyed 2 occupied
nests. Two other nests suffered broken eggs when
intruding Ospreys fought with the incubating bird.
Egg collecting accounted for 2 failures. As in
1998 high river levels limited fishing success in
one area and 2 broods died as a result. Other
brood failures were also attributed to poor weather
conditions. The Loch Garten pair tried to buck
the trend by laying 4 eggs, although only 3 chicks
were fledged. Forty seven pairs raised flying
young (the same as in 1998) and 98 chicks fledged
(99 in 1998). There were 13 broods of 3, 26
broods of 2 and 8 singles. Productivity was 1.42
young per pair with an eyrie, 1.51 young per pair
which laid eggs. Mean brood size was 2.08.
Twelve further chicks were taken under licence
by Roy Dennis for the Rutland Water release
project and all these fledged and migrated
successfully. Two of the 1997 released Rutland
males returned to summer there.

1999 — Tayside

As in Highland site occupancy and breeding
attempts in Tayside were up on the previous year
but productivity was ultimately disappointing. A
series of losses during incubation were attributed
to poor weather in late May. Four pairs continued
to nest on electricity pylons and a further pair used
a lower, two pole, power line support. This nest
was struck by lightning on | August, killing the
single chick. This was the only nest to reach the
hatch stage that failed to fledge young. Fifty one

eC

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

chicks fledged (10 less than in 1998). There were
6 broods of 3, 14 broods of 2 and 5 singles.
Productivity was 1.13 young per occupied nest,
1.31 young per pair that laid and 2.04 per
successful nest.

1999 — Elsewhere

There was little hard evidence of the hoped for
continued expansion in the north east with fewer
active nests found than in 1998 although some of
these were at new sites. Failures during incubation
and at nestling stage were attributed to poor
weather and a male found dead at one regular site
appeared to have suffered a collision injury. There
were, however, pairs rumoured at a number of
other sites and so no actual contraction of the
regional population may have taken place.

In South and West Scotland the populations
remained stable with further sightings of non-
breeding birds giving continued hope of further
expansion. Unlike the longer established
Highland and Tayside populations the numbers
of fledged young increased from 1998 figures
although 2 fledged birds are thought to have died
before migration. Seventeen chicks were ringed.

Satellite tracking

A number of transmitters have been attached both
to Rutland released ospreys and to birds from
Scotland. These can be tracked by satellite (as
part of the Rutland project). Much fascinating
information has emerged. Ospreys, unlike most
large migratory raptors, have long been thought
to be capable of long flights over water. This
allows a broad front migration without using
‘pinch points’ like Gibraltar or the straits around
Sicily. The satellite work has confirmed this and
also shown the birds’ ability to make long, single
flight crossings of the western Sahara. This and
much more of interest can be Seen\at
www.ospreys.org.uk.

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Common Kestrel

Ayrshire study area

Number of territories checked

Number of territories occupied

% occupation

Number of clutches known

Average clutch size

% of eggs which hatched

Number of results known

Average young reared per breeding pair
Average young reared per successful pair
Number of breeding attempts failed

% failed

% brood survival

Number of young ringed

Number of adults trapped/ringed

1998 - As expected, vole numbers declined from
the 1997 peak but by no means crashed, being
found readily at nests until the end of the season.
Weather played a very significant role and may
have contributed to several late breeding attempts
with poor results. January to mid February was
mild, dry and sunny, a “false spring” that had
many pairs inspecting sites and even making
scrapes. This ended with a poor spell of weather
into March with heavy snow in March and April.
Site occupancy was good (75%) and the first egg
was laid on 11 April, two weeks later than 1997.
The early start to the season produced a long
period between display/site inspection and laying
- in 5 cases as long as 3 months. These birds may
have lost condition after the early start and nested
late after recovering with - ultimately - poor
productivity. Nevertheless overall productivity
was above average though not approaching 1997’s
record figures.

ae |

Falco tinnunculus

1998 1999
44 40
53 pa
DD D2
ZS 10
Dal »
70 90
pid) 17
3 276
4.1 4.3
7 6
26 ee)
86 of
71 36
ils, 6

Thirteen of the known first egg laying dates were
in April, 7 in May, the latest being on 15 May.
Mean clutch sizes (5.1) were down from 1997
with 6 hens laying 6 eggs (8 in 1997). The hatching
rate was also reduced.

Thirteen adults were trapped under licence and all
hens (11) except one weighed over 290g. The
exception (229g) - a first year bird - reared only
one chick. Four of the captured birds were retraps:
one hen on the same territory as 1997; one adjacent
to the territory from which it fledged in 1997; one
18 km. from its 1997 natal site; one - the most
interesting - 2 territories from where it was ringed
as a breeding adult in 1992.

Of the 7 failures, one was at pre laying stage, 4
during incubation and 2 during the brood period.
Three failures were due to desertion in poor
weather, one was due to egg collecting and 2 were

ras

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

for reasons unknown. Brood survival was high -
as is usual.

A bird ringed as a chick in 1995 at the Ardeer ICI
plant was found dead at Cumnock nearly 3 years
later and 37 km from its natal site.

1999 - Productivity hinged on 2 factors, a dearth
of voles which was apparent until well into July
and a critical spell of very bad weather from 5-26
April. One pair which laid early did persist
through this period but territory occupation was
very low at 52% and at least 5 pairs which had
been well settled left their without laying. Once
this bad spell was over the weather was dry and
sunny for a few weeks and the remaining pairs
began to breed. The mixed weather which followed
did not adversely affect breeding and those pairs
which eventually laid were very successful and on
a par with the 1998 results. Several nest boxes
were lost during the severe weather on Boxing
Day and some conifer belts were flattened.

The first laid egg was in a lowland site on 8 April,
the remaining pairs laying between 27 April and
3 May, a very narrow time band but indicative of
pairs starting to lay as soon as the weather
improved. Only 2 hens laid clutches of 6 (6 in
1998; 18in 1997). Hatching rate was exceptionally
high at 90%.

Very few adults were trapped due to the low
numbers of breeding pairs found, one hen was
caught in the same territory for the third year in
succession and another was caught in the same
breeding territory as in 1998. Six hens averaged
295g, well within ‘good condition’ limits.

Six pairs failed, 5 at pre laying stage during the
bad weather, the other for an unknown reason.
The pairs which did breed had a successful season.
Mean clutch size was high (5.0). Ninety per cent
of eggs hatched and brood survival was also 90%.

One bird ringed as a nestling in the Carrick Forest
in 1998 was found dead under powerlines on
Newtonmore Golf course in March 1999.

Se

Arthur Gilpin

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Highland

23

The most complete Kestrel data for Highland came from Easter Ross and East Sutherland study areas

in both 1998 and 1999 and these are shown below.

All are from nest box sites.

pairs laid hatched fledged chicks Mean Mean
fledged clutch (n) brood (n)

1998

E Ross 7. 7 Yi, 6 26 4.8 (6) 4.3 (6)

E Sutherland 6 6 5 5 21 5.0 (6) 4.2 (5)
1999

E. Ross 6 6 6 6 24 5.1 (6) 4.8 (5)

E Sutherland 3 3 3 2 7 4.0 (3) 3 (2)
Argyll

1998 - on SW Mull at least 10 successful pairs
were located and the 5 pairs for which fledging
information was obtained reared approximately
18 young. A pair located on Colonsay is thought
to have failed. On Cowal, where numbers of voles
were falling following a 1997 peak, 26 nests were

Territories Territories
Occupied known to have
fledged young
SW Mull 10 5
Colonsay | 0
Cowal 26 14
Bute pi py)
Total 39 21

Min no of

located (Glenbranter study area and elsewhere)
and the monitored pairs that were successful
continued to have a high productivity fledging a
minimum of 70 young. Two successful pairs were
monitored on Bute.

No of young per

young fledged successful territory

18 56
0 0
70 5.0
g, Sie,
95 5

1999 - data were less complete than for 1998 (and have not been tabulated) but monitoring revealed
much lower numbers of birds with very low vole numbers across wide areas of Argyll.

24

Merlin

Central

199§ & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Falco columbarius

In both 1998 and in 1999 3 pairs were recorded but no results were obtained.

Tayside

1998 & (1999) checked occupied
Perthshire 39 (42) 22.(23)
Angus 22 (28) 22)
Total 61 (70) 32 (35)

1998 — In Perthshire fewer territories were
checked than in previous years. Despite the
weather there was a higher production of young
per successful pair than in recent years. Five pairs
not checked through to fledging would almost
certainly have been successful. A number of
territories appeared not to have been occupied in
Glen Lyon (this is also true for Peregrine
territories) but this area has a number of
treenesting pairs which may have been more
difficult to locate. The Angus the breeding season
was again very wet — the wettest on record.
Several sites which are usually successful failed,
with some not being occupied at all. This was
partly offset by the finding of 2 new (successful)
sites. Brood depletion was also higher than usual.
Seven broods were colour ringed. One pair re
laid and raised a brood of 2.

South Strathclyde Dumfries & Galloway

1998 & (1999) checked occupied
S. Strath. 26:7) 17 (9)
D&G 31 (6) 18 (13)
Total a7 C3) 35:(2Z)

fledged chicks fledged
12+ (8[+4?]) 40+ (25+)
9 (9) 26+ (30+)
21 (17[+4?]) 66+ (55+)

1999 — In Perthshire extremely bad April weather
seemed to affect some areas more than others.
Breeding pairs were scarce in West Perthshire
especially Farragon, East Rannoch and Glen Lyon.
There also appeared to be a lack of prey, in
particular Meadow Pipits, in these areas in late
April and May. In Angus the 1999 season was
one of the most successful since monitoring began
in 1983 with the most fledged young since 1990
and the second best since 1994. Losses at
successful sites of 2 to 3 years ago are balance by
new successful sites. One site failed at chick stage
due to Fox predation.

successful chicks fledged
+) 11+ (/+)

6 (J0) 17+ (22+)
11Gy) 28+ (23+)

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

1998 — The extra effort of the Hen Harrier survey
produced a reduced effort on Merlins. There is
certainly an unknown number of additional pairs
and the outcome at many known sites was not
discovered. The species continues to be rather
scarce in the region and largely confined to heather
moors and a few suitable forest edges with
adjacent moorland.

ZS

1999 — This species is difficult to census and
Dumfries and Galloway group workers record
breeding outcome in only a few areas. Generally
the population appears to be low but stable
following the declines that resulted from
afforestation. In Galloway a much reduced
population breeds in a few places around the forest
edge where there is sufficient productive moorland
nearby.

Argyll

checked occupied successful chicks fledged
1998 y) 5 2 7
1999 7. © 3 [4°] gw es |

* includes a brood of 5, 10/14 days old at last visit

1998 - Four previously regular sites were
apparently vacant in 1998 and evidence of
occupation was established in only 5 areas
including Mull, Colonsay, Islay and Cowal. A
few additional sightings of adults in the breeding
season were reported from suitable breeding
habitat during the course of other field work but
no follow up searches were possible.

1999 — On Mull birds were reported from 4
separate areas in the breeding season (more than
usual) and included one pair where 10 to 14 day
old chicks were present on the last visit. A bird
was reported in a suitable location on Jura. In
Mid Argyll birds were absent from on regularly
used site but a bird was seen in a new suitable
area. A Knapdale pair were on territory but the
nest was not found. One Kintyre site was
seemingly vacant and a second pair fledged 2 to
3 young. In Cowal 2 new successful pairs were
found.

North East

1998 & (1999) checked occupied laid hatched fledged chicks fledged
Lower Deeside 21 10 (8) 10 (8) 8 (7) 8 (6) 24 (13)
Mid/upper Deeside 26- 107i) 107) 9 (10) 9 (9) 31 (30)
Donside/Moray 41" 20CU8) 17(8) PZ CS) 10 (14) 38 (46)
Total 88 40(37) 37 (37) 29 (32) 21(29) 93 (89)

*partial coverage

26

1998 - full coverage was achieved in Lower
Deeside with the rate of occupation and success
matching that of recent seasons. There were some
brood reductions associated with heavy rain late
in the season.

In Mid and Upper Deeside there was only partial
coverage. Site occupation was low in the Braemar
area but occupied sites did well and there was very
good breeding success elsewhere.

Some parts of Donside and Moray were only
partly covered. Site occupation was patchy in
Donside and overall success was only average due
to poor weather. Persecution was again suspected
at one Donside estate where some sites have had
birds present every year - but only first year males
- and one site has young every year but none have
fledged since 1990.

Shetland

checked occupied laid
1998 34 Ny, 15
1999 Bi 14 13

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

1999 - Lower Deeside had full coverage which
found the lowest number of birds breeding there
since the study began 20 years ago. Some brood
reduction was noted.

In Mid and Upper Deeside there was partial
coverage with a similar pattern to 1998 with low
occupancy in the Braemar area but good
productivity from active sites, especially in Mid
Deeside.

In Donside and Moray there was almost full
coverage of the areas normally monitored.
Occupation was patchy being poor in Mid
Donside and Cabrach but an increase was noted
in Upper Donside. One new site was found and
active sites had good breeding success.

hatched fledged chicks fledged
13 12 36+
iZ LT 27+

Coverage of Merlins in Shetland has been less complete in the 1990s than during the 1980s but it
would appear that there has been a steady decline since 1996 with reductions noted in both core and

peripheral areas.

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Lothian & Borders

27

hatched fledged min. chicks fledged
7 (6) 5 (4) 20(12)
3 (2) 22) 7 (6)
32) ©) 9 (6)
| (4) 0 (4) 0 (9)
0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
14 (14) 10 (72) 36 (33)

1998 &(1999) checked occupied
Lammermuirs 30 (30) 16 (/3)
Moorfoots 10 (J0) 4 (3)
S. of Tweed a) 5 (3)
Pentlands - (10+) 4 (6)
Other 22) 0 (0)
Total 49 (57+) 29 (25)

1998 - Some briefly glorious early spring weather
raised hopes of a good breeding season for Merlins
this year. These were dashed when the weather
turned poor and remained so throughout most of
April, May, June and July. April was reported as
the wettest this century. Breeding success was
undoubtedly adversely affected by cold, wet
weather and poor visibility. Overall success was
markedly down in all areas compared with the
1997 season.

In the Lammermutirs, although there was evidence
of early occupation at 16 sites, only 9 definitely
reached the egg stage (2 pairs may have laid and
quickly failed) and the others appeared deserted
before egg laying was likely. Five nests had 5
eggs and 4 laid 4. Only 5 pairs managed to raise
young (20) to ringing age.

Two of the failed pairs had small young disappear
and 2 failed to hatch. At one of the latter the
female was found long dead by the nest. She had
not been predated. After the season an adult male
was found long dead in a crow trap within about
4kmof this nest, conceivably the mate of the dead
female who may have starved on the nest.

In the Pentlands full details are not available but
itis understood that there were breeding attempts,
none of which succeeded.

It was one of the poorest years on record in the
Moorfoots with only 4 sites certainly occupied.
One clutch failed to hatch and another failed at
the small young stage. The 2 others were last
visited when the nests contained 2 and 5 small
chicks respectively.

South of the Tweed 5 occupied sites were located
and 4 were known to lay - each with 4 eggs. The
fifth pair formed a scrape but did not seem to get
any further. Lack of signs and sightings suggests
that one nest probably failed. The remaining 3
nests were seen to contain 4, 3 and 2 young
respectively. The brood of 3 were ringed but the
others were not revisited beyond 10 days old.

Two other sites in the west of the area were
checked but found not to be occupied.

1999 - this year saw a third poor year in a recent
run of such years (1996, 1998 and 1999) with the
fewest successful nests and the lowest number of
chicks in the Lammermuir and Moorfoot parts of
the study area since monitoring began. Most
worrying was the low levels of early season site
occupancy (other than in the Pentlands) which
suggest an underlying population decline rather
than a series of individual seasons with poor
productivity. This begs the question, are declining
farmland bird numbers affecting Merlin winter

28

survival rates? Continued monitoring is essential
in order to try and answer this question.

The Lammermuirs were characterised by low
occupancy with some “occupied” sites holding
only single birds for a brief period. Only 8 sites
definitely laid and 2 of these failed before
hatching. At one the female was killed at the nest,
probably by a Stoat. Stoats were also suspected
of predating 2 broods. The 12 chicks ringed from
only 4 successful nests were the fewest ever
recorded for the area by the study.

In the Moorfoots coverage was somewhat patchy
but still revealed a low level of site occupancy

Orkney

checked occupied laid

1998 58 20 17
1999 D/ 17 14

1998 - All 58 known sites were checked. Ten
were found occupied in the West Mainland, one
on Rousay and 9 on Hoy. At one of these 20 sites
the birds are known not to have laid, at another
no nest was ever found but the site was definitely
unsuccessful while at a third, the scrape was not
found until after the eggs had apparently been
predated. Eggs were thus confirmed at 17 sites,
the mean clutch size being 3.8. There were a
further 5 failures at egg stage but chicks were
hatched at 6 West Mainland and 6 Hoy sites, the
mean brood size at this stage being 4.3 (n = 11).
Three broods were lost to predators (a Short-eared
Owl being implicated at one) but the remaining 3
sites in the West Mainland and 6 on Hoy were
successful.

hatched

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

with previously used areas confirmed as
unoccupied. The outcome at one occupied site is
unknown and only 2 sites were known to raise
young.

South of the Tweed of the 5 sites checked only 2
certainly raised chicks. Success was not
confirmed for a third site still in use in mid May.
In contrast with other areas and previous years
good occupancy was recorded in the Pentlands.
At least 6 sites laid (4 clutches of 4 and 2 of 3),
one in a tree nest. The clutches of 3 both failed
but all others at least reached large brood stage
with the tree site confirmed to fledge.

successful chicks fledged
L2 9 C32
10 10 c.30

1999 - Fifty seven sites were checked with 9 found
occupied on the West Mainland, one on Rousay
and 7 on Hoy. At least 14 sites had eggs and a
further 2 may have laid before failure. All 10
sites that hatched are also thought to have fledged.

Highland

1998 - Although information was received from
51 territories, only 26 sites were followed through
all stages of the breeding cycle. Breeding success
differed significantly from area to area. Pairs in
West Moray, Nairn, and Badenoch and Strathspey
had a relatively good breeding season, despite
continuous rainy weather during the summer.
Although continuous, the rainfall was generally
light in nature and did not seem to impair the
Merlins’ ability to obtain enough prey for

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

1998 & (1999) checked occupied laid
Bad./Strath. 4 (0) 2 (0)
W Moray/Nairn 17 (/7) 8 (7)
Caith/Suth 16 (34) 16 (19)
E/W Ross ZAC) 1 (/)
Inverness 12 (1) 2d)
Skye -(/) -(/)
Total 51 (64) 2IK3S)

successful breeding. Nine out of 10 pairs which
laid eggs, successfully fledged young giving a
fledging rate of 3.4 per young per successful nest
which was just below the ten year average for the
area. (In comparison, heavy torrential rainfall
during the crucial fledging period in 1997 resulted
in Merlins in the same area having the poorest
ever breeding success recorded).

Approximately 50% of breeding sites checked in
West Moray, Nairn, and Badenoch and Strathspey
during 1998 were unoccupied. Most of these sites
were located in West Moray. The reasons for this
low occupancy are difficult to understand for some
formerly regularly occupied territories. At least
one site appears to have been affected by
surrounding moorland being lost to now maturing
forestry. Two other regularly occupied sites may
also have been affected by planting of trees on
site in recent years.

Some other sites checked were not core sites but
are irregularly occupied and generally only used
in peak years. This may be due to lack of territorial
males in some years, as it 1s thought to be males
that hold the sites.

Further north in Sutherland, Merlins had a
relatively poor breeding season with 50% of the
pairs followed through failing to breed
successfully. Breeding success, as measured y
successful nests, was well below average and

2 (0)
1A
17)
0)
1 (/)
a)

23427)

20

hatched fledged chicks fledged
24) 2 (0) 7 (0)
TG) 7 (6) 24 (21)
LeL() 6 (10) 12 (32)
0 (-) 0 (J) 0 (4)
u/k (-) u/k (/) u/k (2)
a, =(7) =i)
20 (-) 14 (19) 43 (62)

when measured by the number of pairs laying
eggs, gave a mean of only 1.0 young per pair,
which was less than half the 10 year average for
the area (2.2 young per pair). Three pairs failed
at the egg stage (remains of one female werefound
near the nest). Three failed at small young stage
(young were known to be predated at one nest).
Although reasons for failure were unknown at
some nests, predation would appear to be a likely
factor.

Only 2 sites were checked in Ross reflecting a
lack of observers in this area which contains much
suitable habitat. Only one site was occupied and
the pair subsequently failed to breed successfully.
Twelve breeding sites were checked in Inverness-
shire, far more than has hitherto be usual. Two
sites were definitely occupied. Single males were
seen at 2 sites. Signs of occupancy were found at
2 other sites. Approximately 45% of breeding
sites checked were unoccupied.

1999 - Thirty three sites were found occupied by
pairs. Records from a further 5 sites were not
complete enough for inclusion in the totals.

In west Moray only 36% of sites were occupied,
though many of these are not regularly occupied.
In Inverness 50% of sites were unoccupied. It is
thought that excessive burning for grouse
management contributes to this low occupancy.
Early season weather was poor with much rain but

30

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

this was mostly light and does not seem to have
affected clutch size or incubation. Improved
weather during the critical fledging period meant
that successful pairs had a fairly productive season.
From the 14 sites where clutch size was known a
mean of 4.0 eggs per nest was at the upper end of
the usual range. . Overall a mean of 3.2 chicks per
successful nest was near the Highland long term
average. Nine nest failures were recorded, 5 of
these attributed to predation.

Monitoring effort was substantially improved in
Sutherland and continues to be much better in
Inverness. Nevertheless Inverness-shire could
still do with more Merlin workers and Ross-shire
is very short of coverage with much of the county
appearing very suitable for the species.

nw;

Sty

—t

- ge = z

%
ey a
ett tt Sn ete te mas emer Ae EE
“Shaan anne Sain poy

al

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

31

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Central Scotland

checked occupied pairs occupied single successful chicks fledged
1998 36 26 3 19 39+
1999 32 aS 2 i2 30+

1998 - Although the general perception is that the
1998 summer was a poor one, the weather did not
break until towards the end of May by which time
most young Peregrines were past the early,
vulnerable stage. Thus weather conditions in the
incubation and early fledgling periods were
favourable for the Peregrine in 1998, even if not
for some other species.

Tayside

1998 (1999) checked occupied
Perth W of A9 37 (34) 26 (23)
Perth E of A9 19 (20) 17 (7)
Angus 35.(25) 26 (21)
Total 91 (79) 69 (6/)

1998 - There was a noticeable lack of success on
some grouse moor estates and 1998 was considered
overall to be a poorer year than normal.

1999 - There appear to have been problems - some
at least being persecution related - in the south of
the Group’s area. The apparent drop in occupancy
was offset to some extent by the appearance of a
“new” - probably hitherto undiscovered — site in
the middle of the area.

fledged chicks fledged
18 (12) 42+ (28)
7 (8) 11+ (19+)
A) 30 (1)
- (-) 83+ (58+)

1999 — There was concern that Peregrines are
showing a decline in Tayside particularly in the
west and north of the area. Fewer immature birds
were recorded around territories during the season.

ays

South Strathclyde and Dumfries & Galloway

1998 (1999) checked occupied
S.Strath coast 9 (9) GC)

S Strath inland 30 (32) 13 US)
S.Strath Total 39 (41) I'D (25)
D & G Coast 28 (32) 24 (22)
D & G inland 69 (76) 52 (56)
D & G Total 97 (108) 76 (78)
Total 136 (149) 95 (103)

1998 - Peregrines in South West Scotland have
produced more young than ever recorded before
(the previous best year being 1997). Coverage
was again generally very good with occupation
being about ‘normal’, which indicates that the
anticipated reduction in pairs (perhaps associated
with pigeon interests) in south Ayrshire has not
occurred. Having said that, one or 2 grouse moor
sites in East Ayrshire and Upper Nithsdale which
became active in recent years have since ceased to
be occupied due to persistent persecution.

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

laid fledged no. chicks
fledged

4 (6) 4 (4) 10+ (10+)

13 (4) 8 (7) 22+ (15)

17 (20) WAGES 32+ (25+)

22 (18) 18 (14) 33+ (29 ?+)

48 (53) 397) 76+ (64 ?+)

70 (71) 53 (45) 109+ (93 ?+)

87 (91) 65 (56) 141+ (118+)

1999 — Peregrines continued to do well in the
south west and the population now appears to be
largely stable although there may be some room
for further expansion in the east of the area.
Persecution now appears to almost entirely
confined to grouse moors in East Ayrshire and
Upper Nithsdale and to one or 2 pigeon racing
valleys in East Ayrshire. The taking of eggs and
chicks has reduced, although some of this still
does occur. There is, however, a widespread
feeling in the Groups that prey availability in early
spring is reduced. If this proves to be true it may
yet bring about a reduction in breeding numbers.

Shetland

checked occupied laid hatched fledged chicks fledged
1998 8 | | | 4
1999 8 0 0 0 0 0

There is now less coverage of Peregrines than
during the 1980s but sufficient to confirm that
the species is close to extinction as a breeding
bird in Shetland. Since 1995 successful

breeding has been recorded in only 2 years with
single pairs nesting successfully in 1996 and
1998.

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

Argyll

1998 (1999) Checked occupied
Cowal 16 (19) 11 U4)
Other areas” 26 (9) 21 (9)
Total 42 (28) 32:23)

*incomplete survey

The Cowal is shown separately because it is the
only area where systematic Peregrine monitoring
is carried out.

1998 - the overall productivity of all monitored
sites was considerably better than in 1997 and on
the Cowal it was judged to be the best year since
the study began. The 4 failed sites on the Cowal
all occurred at the egg/small young stage. An
adult female found dead below a nest site on Bute
was thought to have died from natural causes.

Highland

1998 & (1999) checked occupied laid

Caithness 0 (0) - (-) - (-)
N&W Suth. 3 (3) 5.(3) 3)
W Ross 2 (0) 1 (-) I (-)
E Suth. 713) 6 (2) 5 (7)
E Ross 6 (7[5]) 6 (4) 6 (3)
E Inverness 8 (4) 8 (3) 6 (3)
Bad & Strath 1 (3) 172) 0 (2)
Moray & Nairn 2.1) 2501) 2 (1)
Small Isles i) LG) LEC)
Lochaber 0 (J) - (0) - (-)

og

successful chicks fledged
EC) Ign)
TH?) 16 (12+)
LG) 33 (17+)

1999 — As is usually the case, with the exception
of the of the well worked study area on the Cowal,
the monitored sites were widely scattered and
coverage was far from complete. A certain amount
of incomplete data were obtained at a number of
other sites not included in the table. There was a
very poor season on the Cowal. Five sites used in
recent years had no birds present. Ten failures of
occupied sites were at egg/small young stage and
data were incomplete for the 2 remaining sites.

hatched fledged =min. chicks
fledged

=) =") =e)

3) > (4) 5 (2)

LG) LG) 2'(-)

4 (1) -()) 73)

4 (2) 4 (2) 519)

) 5 (2) a4)

=(d) (i) = (1)

2 (0) 2 (0) 50

I (?) 1 (2) 2.47)
ai) a a) =)

Total 30°23) 28 (16) 24 (1/3) 20 (8) 20 (7) 39.(1))

34

1998 — in addition to the 28 sites found occupied
one other site held a single bird. Only 4 of the 24
pairs known to lay failed during incubation. All
20 pairs that hatched young were ultimately
successful. Productivity figures, overall, indicate
an average year despite the poor weather in June.
Some nests were not followed through to fledging
and this caused problems with calculating
productivity. The small sample size for some
areas also continues to be a problem. The overall
productivity recorded was a mean of 1.3 chicks
per territorial pair, 1.5 per pair that laid and 1.8 per
successful pair.

Lothian and Borders

checked occupied
1998 49 39
1999 58 a4

1998 - 93 fledged young 1s the most ever recorded,
although mean brood size is down. New sites
continue to be found and there is currently little
evidence of thefts.

Orkney

checked occupied laid
1998 Zt 16 7+
1999 Zi 14 6 (7+?)

1998 - Information was more than usually
incomplete in 1998 but sufficient monitoring was
carried out through the season to confirm that at
least 10 chicks fledged.

1999— A good deal was found out about the extent
of site occupancy but monitoring was less intensive
in the later stages of the season. A single bird was

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

1999 — whilst there was some decrease in the level
of monitoring in 1998 there was also a more
worrying decrease in site occupancy. Pairs were
absent from 43% of the sites checked and no
occupancy by single birds was detected. It is
suspected that the underlying cause is a decline in
prey availability. Some failures were unexplained,
in particular a fully incubated clutch that failed to
hatch. Other post laying failures had more obvious
causes with one case of egg collecting, an eyrie in
a ravens nest washed out by heavy rain and a
brood of large chicks predated by a Pine Marten.
Productivity was therefore poor overall at a mean
of 0.94 chicks per territorial pair but good amongst
the relatively few (7) successful pairs at 2.14
chicks per pair.

successful chicks fledged
30 93
29 83

1999 — the population continues to expand with 5
new sites found in 1999 although productivity
was less than in 1998. Human interference is still
detected — at 3 nests — but most failures appeared
to be natural. Coastal sites had a good year.

hatched fledged chicks fledged
7+ 5+ 10+
6 (7+) 1+ I+

present at one otherwise unoccupied site. Although
the single confirmed fledgling is probably an
underestimate of the local productivity the overall
impression was one of a poor season (for instance
no young are thought to have emerged from any
of the 6 occupied Mainland sites).

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

North East
unoccupied occupied
(% all sites) (% occupied
sites)
1998
Grouse Moor = 23 (45%) 28 (55%)
Other Inland 10 (26%) 28 (74%)
Coast 5 (24%) 16 (76%)
Total 38 (35%) 72 (65%)
1999
Grouse Moor — 21 (48%) 23 (52%)
Other Inland 7 (21%) 26 (79%)
Coast 2 (11%) 17 (89%)
Total 30 (31%) 66 (69%)

35

laid fledged min young
(% occupied (% occupied fledged
sites) sites)

15 (54%) 4 (14%) fi

22 (79%) 17 (60%) 35+

12: (5%) 5 (31%) 9+

49 (68%) 25 (35%) 49+

- 11 (48%) 18

- 15 (58%) 38

- 8 (47%) sks)

- 34 (52%) 71

1998 - inland grouse moor sites

At grouse moor sites occupancy declined further
and productivity was extremely low — 0.25 young
fledging per occupied site. Young fledged on only
3 grouse estates with 1.75 young fledging per
successful nest. This is linked to continued high
levels of persecution. Poisoned baits were found
at 3 eyries with adults known to have disappeared
from another 9 sites. This part of the population
is not rearing enough young to be self sustaining.
Unless persecution pressure is significantly
reduced, this part of the Peregrine population will
continue to decline.

1998 - other inland sites

Other inland sites were much more successful
with!.25+ young fledging per occupied site and
occupancy of 74%, the highest level for 2 years.
This part of the population continues to expand
with 2 new sites being confirmed in 1998,
although the rate of occupancy of new sites is

believed to be depressed by the low productivity
of the population as a whole.

Higher eyries (above 600m altitude) all failed in
the poor weather although adults were observed
at all of the sites checked (3) with breeding
attempted in at least 2 sites. Deer forest pairs had
reasonable success. Eight pairs reared 15 young
(1.88 young fledged per occupied site) out of 11
occupied sites (1.36 fledged young per occupied
site). This is the most productive section of the
population. The remaining sites were associated
with either farm land or forestry. Fourteen
occupied sites produced 15 young (1.07 fledged
young per occupied site) from 4 successful pairs
(1.88 young per successful site).

1998 - coastal sites

Site occupancy increased with 4 new pairs located.
Three were in new sites; the fourth involved a
territory being split between 2 pairs. Productivity
was low (0.68 fledged young per occupied site)

36

with only 5 pairs out of 16 occupying sites
fledging young (1.80 fledged young per
successful site). Terrible weather in early April
was involved in 2 and possibly more of the
failures.

1999 - inland grouse moor sites

The year saw an improvement on some grouse
moor sites so that, although occupancy showed a
slight decline, productivity at occupied sites was
much higher than of late. This is due to Operation
Falcon, a joint Grampian Police/SNH/RSG
initiative in conjunction with some local estates.
Peregrines consistently failed to occupy sites or
breed successfully on 14 other estates not involved
in the initiative, a high level of failure linked
directly to persecution. A worrying trend is the
lack of adult Peregrines to replace lost birds. In
former years adult birds were quickly replaced.
This is no longer the case. The decrease in
occupied sites — a decline from 79% to 52% in 5
years — is an indication of the lack of a large non
breeding population.

1998 & 1999 Raptor Round Up

1999 — other inland sites

Site occupancy (79%) was greater than on grouse
moors (52%) and breeding success was higher
with 58% of occupied sites fledging young. Five
sites at higher altitude in deer forest suffered the
effects of bad weather and only 2 pairs fledged
young, both in north facing corries. Eight lower
deer forest sites performed similarly to 1998 with
7 pairs producing 15 chicks (eight pairs/15 chicks
in 1998). Quarry sites did well with 5 pairs raising
13 young. Inland sites off grouse moors continue
to be the most productive element of the north east
population.

1999 — coastal sites

No new sites were located. Success was very low
on the north coast (only one chick fledged from
eight occupied sites). By contrast east coast pairs
did better (7 pairs from 9 occupied sites produced
at least 14 young). The reason for this difference
is not apparent.

Crispin Fisher

The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club was formed in 1936 to encourage all aspects of ornithology in
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