A summary of the activities and findings of the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme for the year 2023.

This report presents trends for raptors in Scotland based on Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme (SRMS) data for the period 2009 to 2018. Trends cover breeding numbers and productivity (breeding success, clutch size, brood size and the number of fledglings) at national and regional (SRMS Region and Natural Heritage Zones) levels for 14 species (13 raptors plus Raven) that breed regularly in Scotland: Osprey, Golden Eagle, Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Hen Harrier, Red Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Buzzard, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine and Raven.

This research consisted of a literature review and field study which investigated woodland management for birds within lowland broadleaved woodlands in Britain. The research considered the effect of woodland management (silvicultural intervention and control of deer browsing) on vegetation structure, and the relationships between vegetation structure and woodland birds. Based on habitat–bird relationships, a classification of six woodland stand structures (A–F) related to their value to birds, and a framework to help understand and manage woodland development to deliver these structures were created. The field study, which was conducted in England and Wales, showed that woodlands are predominantly mature or late thicket stands, with low structural heterogeneity (type E – closed canopy, few strata), and silvicultural interventions are primarily mid to late rotational thinning. Such interventions lead to a uniform stand structure and reduced stem and understorey density. High deer browsing pressure also reduces understorey density. Study results showed these vegetation structures to be less favourable to the target bird species who were instead found to be associating with the structures predicted from the literature as being favourable. This suggests that vegetation structures for birds can be described, and if provided, bird populations could be enhanced. The frequently occurring woodland structure type E is of least value to woodland birds. Woodland managers are encouraged to move type E stands towards other types to help meet bird conservation objectives.