PROGRESS FOLLOWING CAITHNESS SITE VISITS.

For the benefit of those not on Facebook. Following site visits on farms throughout Caithness; week commencing 2nd May attended by SNH Licensing Manager - Ben Ross, SNH Wildlife Operations Officer - Graeme Macrae, NFUS Caithness Branch Chairman - Arnott Coghill, ARPID Representative - Andrew Taylor and Calling for Raven Control - Danny Bisset. This campaign can proudly state that constructive discussions took place between a broad spectrum of the Caithness Sheep Farming Community and those noted above. The objective of this meeting was to highlight to all parties the increasing number of Ravens observed and the subsequent substantial rise in cases of predation by ravens upon livestock throughout the county. Calling for Raven Control would like to take this opportunity to thank the 5 farms involved for their time in the discussions and for the considered manner in which they conveyed the current situation. We would also like to extend out thanks to SNH, ARPID and NFU Caithness for taking the time to attend these farms and hear firsthand accounts from those who are dealing with the aftermath of Raven attacks all too often. Many points of discussion were raised throughout these meetings and it was encouraging to take part in what was; open, honest and interactive discussions between all parties on the below subjects. · Increasing population of Juvenile Ravens due to highly successful breeding rates and problematic hotspots. (Not limited to Caithness) and the accuracy of BTO figures in relation to breeding pairs of Raven (Study referencing 7200 breeding pairs conducted 2007). Also noted was the lack of figures relating to the problematic Juvenile birds. · The requirement for Raven population control rather than the current SNH stance that lethal control should be conducted as an aid to scaring practices was conveyed by Calling for Raven Control and echoed by all farmers visited as the targeting of individual birds in the field was felt to be ineffective in keeping Raven population at a manageable level. · Common miss-conceptions from the farming community regarding the Specific Licence process, its requirements and restrictions were addressed by SNH Licensing Manager Ben Ross. These included but were not limited to; Reassurances were made that Specific Licences were commonly issued by SNH and readily available free of charge to those who were suffering stock damage/losses. Licences could be applied for in advance of the expected problematic period and so long as justified would be permitted up until a requested date. The issue of the licence application and its complexity regarding maps etc. for a single farm with all parks in close proximity was discussed and agreement reached that in such cases where an immediate Licence was required the first enquiry should be made via telephone to the SNH Licensing team in Inverness. Bag Limits were discussed and it was felt that given the severity of the situation in problematic areas these could be increased and where farmers reached their permitted bag limit but were still experiencing loss/damage that immediate re-issuing of a bag could be implemented. · SNH requirements regarding the returns of bag numbers and feedback regarding the effectiveness of the specific licence; it was conveyed by Ben Ross that SNH have a duty to report to Europe on all figures of Ravens killed for the protection of livestock, it was pointed out that this was sometimes lacking and although SNH will follow up on numbers with those who fail to return bag details this situation does not provide the critical feedback to SNH on how effective the Licence was to their situation. It was further noted that SNH would look to analyze data returned closer as to better understand the current licensing systems effectiveness. · Changing sheep husbandry practices including but not limited to, feeding methods, feed types, lambing practices (indoor vs. outdoor pro’s and con’s) and turning out mothering Ewes and established lambs were discussed at length by all involved and farmers were acknowledged for their efforts in reducing the opportunity for predatory birds. · Changes in farming practices relating to the removal of dead stock form parks and the subsequent removal of an alternative food source was discussed as a potential adage to the problem. · Decline of alternative Raven food sources; Rabbit, Vole, carrion etc. Discussed and recognised as a contributory factor in the changing predatory habits of Ravens. · Alternative methods of deterring Ravens from lambing parks and their effectiveness including but not limited to Scarecrows, Kites, Rope-bangers, Alternating machinery in parks and increased patrols of lambing parks, were discussed at length. It was widely felt that owing to the Ravens intelligence deterrents were ineffective in reducing both the numbers of Raven on site and subsequent attacks. · Potential effectiveness of trapping methods used in relation to other corvids were discussed however again it was broadly felt that owing to the Ravens intelligence trapping would be an ineffective option. · Predation upon vulnerable calves throughout calving season was pointed out by a farmer in the county who highlighted his changing in practices now having to calf all indoors and the subsequent issues associated with this change. · Farmers noted and fed back information on the decline of ground nesting bird species on their land which they highlighted as a concern to the ecology of the county this was accepted by all as a genuine concern. · NFU Caithness Chairman Arnott Coghill voiced his willingness to help at a regional level in collating figures on Raven predation and would feed this information back so that SNH may better understand the fuller impact on the sheep farming community. In Summary. Since these meetings, it has been encouraging to see immediate changes by SNH’s Licensing Team to the current Specific Licence, in that the permitted bag limits have risen, there has been the withdrawal of a named “Agent” to carry out control and the willingness of SNH to deal with applications by phone in cases where immediate assistance is required or confusion arises can only be commended. Calling for Raven Control fully backs the SNH call for anyone who is affected by Raven attacks to apply for a Specific Licence as a demonstration into the extent of the problem. It has now been fed back twice during the last week that following a 5 minute phone call with sufficient justification a licence was issued permitting up to 5 Raven initially. This was received within an hour via email and covered the last of the lambing and throughout the calving season due to the potential for livestock damage. However, Calling for Raven Control would implore everyone to give honest accurate feedback whether positive of negative into the effectiveness of the Specific Licence and welcomes any requests for assistance in completing this crucial piece of the process. It is Calling for Raven Control’s firm belief that the most effective way to demonstrate the ineffectiveness of the current system is by using it and proving that targeting single birds in the field will not lead to a control in numbers. Calling for Raven Control is ready to enter into the 2017 SNH Species Review with new scientific findings, hard evidence in hand and a strong case which will be difficult to ignore. Please be assured that this campaign is still firmly on track, still calling for the addition of the Common Raven to the General Licence, proud of its achievements so far and grateful to you all for your continued support. Kind regards to all. Danny Bisset