NatureScot Commissioned Report 931, 932, 933, 934: Assessing the nature and use of corvid cage traps in Scotland: Part 1 of 4 - Questionnaire survey of corvid trap users in Scotland

This work examined the current use of, and risks associated with the use of, all corvid traps permitted under NatureScot general licences for birds.

Its findings will be used to improve the clarity of general licences and to ensure that traps permitted for use under these licences are adequately described and can operate humanely and selectively.

The research will inform the development of our general licences and possibly a code of practice to govern the use of traps under these licences.

Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) carried out the work. A steering group of RSPB, British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), NatureScot and Scottish Government representatives oversaw the project.

The findings of the research are published as a series of four reports.

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Assessing the nature and use of corvid cage traps in Scotland: Part 1 of 4 – Questionnaire survey of corvid trap users in Scotland. NatureScot Commissioned Report No. 931

Part 1 reports on the findings of a questionnaire survey of registered corvid trap users. The aim was to establish how and where corvid traps are used, and their effectiveness, to better understand current corvid trapping practices in Scotland.

Published: 2016
Pages: 83

Assessing the nature and use of corvid cage traps in Scotland: Part 2 of 4 – Field survey of trap use in Scotland 2014–15. NatureScot Commissioned Report No. 932

Part 2 reviews the evidence gathered on the day-to-day efficacy of corvid traps, as used by practitioners across Scotland in 2014 and 2015. The aim was to provide a detailed snapshot of trap operation across a calendar year, and relate this activity to the capture of both target and non-target species. The condition of decoy birds and the traps in which they were kept was also examined.

Published: 2016
Pages: 57

Assessing the nature and use of corvid cage traps in Scotland: Part 3 of 4 – Trap operation and welfare. NatureScot Commissioned Report No. 933

Part 3 reports on field trials of traps permitted under general licences. It looks at how traps were set and their catch, and the behaviour and welfare of trapped birds.

Published: 2016
Pages: 87

Assessing the nature and use of corvid cage traps in Scotland: Part 4 of 4 – Review and recommendations. NatureScot Commissioned Report No. 934

Part 4 draws together the findings of parts 1 to 3 and reviews their implications. It then recommends ways to improve general licences.

Published: 2016
Pages: 60

 

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