Fencing
Research has identified collisions with deer fences as a significant
cause of black grouse mortality (Baines
& Summers 1997). This creates a dilemma for black grouse conservation,
as fencing is often used to exclude grazing animals (particularly deer
and livestock) from woodland.
Deer fences
Deer fences should only be erected, maintained or renewed where there
is no other viable way to manage deer, and only then after a proper assessment
of the risks.
Best practice is to:
1. Remove all redundant fences, especially those within woodlands.
2. Mark existing fences where continued use proves to be necessary. Orange
barrier netting is the only form of marking that is proved to reduce collisions
by black grouse, though other methods are being trialled.
3. Fences should not be placed in important feeding habitats, such as
bilberry and cotton grass.
Stock fences
New stock fences also regularly kill black grouse, though rates of collision,
although likely to be less than deer fences, have not been quantified.
Stock fences have been a common feature of the uplands for more than a
century, though their use may have increased because of new forestry plantations
and agri-environment schemes. It is strongly recommended that new stock
fences around favoured black grouse habitats, such as new native woodlands
and grazing exclosures, are positioned clear of flight lines between leks
and forest edge and are appropriately marked. Click here
to download a leaflet on stock fences, produced by the North
Pennines Recovery Project.
Overhead wires
Collisons with overhead wires kill breeding waders and black grouse in
the North Pennines, and perhaps elsewhere. This may be a localised problem,
but if particular wires are regularly causing a problem, the local electricity
distribution company or BT may be able to mark the section with flight
'diverters', to make the cables more visible.
Grants
The Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme provides grants to assist
with the removal and marking of deer fences in Scotland. Click on the
link below for details.
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