Orkney and especially the West mainland is renowned for its hen harriers with, in the past a strong and healthy breeding population. Orkney hen harriers were so prolific that they contributed to the re-establishment of the Scottish mainland populations after their near extinction in the 1930’s. However from the late 1970’s there has been a steady decline in these raptors, which, if it continues could result in their extinction in Orkney. Research has indicated that the most likely cause of the falling population is a shortage of food, especially in spring when the females are preparing to lay eggs. This food shortage is believed to be a direct result of changing farming practices with increased sheep grazing, and farming ‘improvements’ such as silage production, reseeding and canalisation of the burns. This results in a reduction of habitat diversity and a corresponding drop in the numbers of voles and small birds, prime hen harrier food. The hen harrier scheme will over the next five years try to re-establish some of these habitats in order to encourage the natural prey for the harriers. The well attended launch was held at the Merkister Hotel, in Harray the area at the heart of the scheme. The meeting was introduced by Michael Scott, Deputy Chairman of SNH and director of Plant Life. John Uttley, SNH area manager outlined the principles of the scheme and Ken Watson gave a very interesting local ‘farmers’ perspective.

Michael Scott was pleased to announce that SNH had provided funding of £1 million to support the management of the Orkney Mainland Moors Special Protection area (SPA) and the surrounding farmland of an approximate 2km radius. The area includes West Mainland Moorlands, Keelylang Hill and Swartaback burn, Orphir and Stenness Hills and Glims Moss and Durkadale with surrounding ground. The areas outside the SPA are included as they are important hunting grounds for these birds of prey. The scheme is the first of the SNH ‘Natural Care’ initiatives of positive management. The scheme is designed to dove-tail with existing agri-schemes and any land owner or tenant of suitable land within the area may apply and if accepted would receive annual payments from SNH. Management prescriptions include muirburn, stock disposal, off-wintering, rough grassland creation, sacrificial and fodder crops, conservation headlands, scrub protection and fencing. With the generous funding it was felt that that no application would be refused.

Ken Watson outlined the practical principals of the scheme and how it would apply to farmers in Orkney. He thought that sacrificial crops may encourage vermin such as rats and that feral cats probably have a serious effect on the wild bird numbers, but was very positive about the scheme with the financial benefits that would result for the farming community and knock on effects to tourism and the Orkney economy.

John Uttley concluded with a short overview of this project and stressed its importance as an innovative positive management scheme that should not only benefit the harriers, the top predators but enhance the biodiversity of the whole food chain. The project will be very carefully monitored and experimental projects developed as part of the scheme. This could be very productive and contribute to similar management schemes in other parts of the UK.

The rest of the evening was spent consuming the mountains of sandwiches provided by the hotel whilst examining the visual displays set up by SNH. The most interesting of which is a large map of the areas concerned with the classification of the terrain and gave some indication of the size of the project in relation to the ground covered.

This is a very attractive experimental project that should not only improve the prospects of the Orcadian wildlife but also contribute to the preservation of the landscape and natural heritage of the islands, encourage environmentally friendly farming methods, contribute to the economy and hopefully encourage similar schemes else where. So do keep a look out for our beautiful hen harriers and encourage anyone you know who lives near the West Mainland Moorlands to take part in the scheme.