The association of grouse moor in Scotland with the illegal use of poisons to control predators Original Research Article

In the UK uplands, there is a conflict between the maintenance of high densities of red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) for sporting shoots and the conservation of birds of prey on grouse moors where shoots take place. Several authors have indicated that as a result of this conflict, illegal use of poisoned baits to control predators is more likely to occur on grouse moors, but this association has not been examined formally. Mapping a form of land management unique to grouse moors (‘strip muirburn’), we use a GIS analysis to show that records of illegal poison use from 1981 to 2000 were disproportionately associated with grouse moors in Scotland. The association between poisoning incidents in the uplands and grouse moors was stronger in later years of the study period. It is suggested that this was at least partly due to a decline in the illegal use of poisons away from grouse moors. There was no evidence of any temporal decline in poisoning incidents on grouse moors over the study period. This research indicates that illegal methods for controlling predators (including protected birds of prey) are associated with traditional field sports and points to the need for management action.