Does supplementary feeding reduce predation of red grouse by hen harriers?
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Published source details
Redpath S.M., Thirgood S.J. & Leckie F.M. (2001) Does supplementary feeding reduce predation of red grouse by hen harriers?. Journal of Applied Ecology, 38, 1157-1168.
Published source details Redpath S.M., Thirgood S.J. & Leckie F.M. (2001) Does supplementary feeding reduce predation of red grouse by hen harriers?. Journal of Applied Ecology, 38, 1157-1168.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use supplementary feeding to reduce predation Action Link |
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Use supplementary feeding to reduce predation
A controlled cross-over experiment, on moorland in southwest Scotland, UK, in 1998 and 1999 (Redpath et al. 2001) found that adult red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus survival was no higher in 13 hen harrier Circus cyaneus territories that were provided with a total of 256 kg of food in spring (over two years), than in control (unfed) territories (78% survival for 94 birds in fed areas vs. 74% of 97 in control areas). Supplementary feeding in the summer (when harriers are provisioning young) reduced the number of grouse chicks being brought to 14 fed broods, compared to ten unfed broods (an average of 0.5 chicks/100 hr, seven in total vs. 3.7 chicks/100 hr, 32 in total). However, there was no corresponding improvement in grouse breeding success in fed areas.
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