Cairn Gorm Funicular improves ptarmigan numbers?

druidh said:

According to Mondays Scotsman newspaper (news.scotsman.comscotland.cfmOpen ↗),
ptarmigan numbers on Cairn Gorm were adversely affected by the original ski development. Seems the
critters just can't help flying into the wires of the various ski lifts. One presumes that the
replacement of the main chairlift with the railway will improve the situation - could be funny
sitting in the train if one hits it tho!

Unlikely.

The main reason for the decline is the crows.

</quote> However, the drop in numbers is not blamed directly on disturbance by skiers but indirectly
on the birds flying into ski lift wires and the arrival of scavenging crows.

<snip>

However, ptarmigan have since returned in small numbers to the developed area after action was taken
to control crows. </quote>
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

"druidh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

According to Mondays Scotsman newspaper (news.scotsman.comscotland.cfmOpen ↗),
ptarmigan numbers on Cairn Gorm were adversely affected by the original ski development.

Seems

Quoted message said:

the critters just can't help flying into the wires of the various ski

lifts.

Quoted message said:

One presumes that the replacement of the main chairlift with the railway will improve the
situation - could be funny sitting in the train if one

hits

Quoted message said:

it tho!

Quote:

"Losses have been caused in many areas through degradation of the habitat through overgrazing by
sheep. Around the tourist areas on Cairngorm the edible rubbish which has been discarded has
encouraged Crows and foxes to the extent that predation has increased greatly."

'British population trend: apparently stable.'

The State of the Nations Birds

Chris Mead (1940-2003)

CB
--
Bird sightings based around 'Craven' Skipton, North Yorks. cravenbirds.mysite.freeserve.comcravenbirds.mysite.freeserve.comOpen ↗
mysite.freeserve.comcravenbirdsOpen ↗

Phil Cook wrote

Quoted message said:

druidh said:

According to Mondays Scotsman newspaper (news.scotsman.comscotland.cfmOpen ↗),
ptarmigan

numbers

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

on Cairn Gorm were adversely affected by the original ski development.

Seems

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the critters just can't help flying into the wires of the various ski

lifts.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

One presumes that the replacement of the main chairlift with the railway will improve the
situation - could be funny sitting in the train if one

hits

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it tho!

Unlikely.

The main reason for the decline is the crows.

</quote> However, the drop in numbers is not blamed directly on disturbance by

skiers but

Quoted message said:

indirectly on the birds flying into ski lift wires and the arrival of

scavenging

Quoted message said:

crows.

<snip>

However, ptarmigan have since returned in small numbers to the developed

area

Quoted message said:

after action was taken to control crows. </quote>

Having frequently seen ptarmigans' reluctance to take flight, at very close quarters, I would be
more inclined to support the scavenging predators argument. The ski area litter has encouraged crows
and gulls which will have either displaced the ptarmigan or eaten eggs. There should be action to
control skiers' litter rather than controlling the crows. There are a few signs regarding food
litter and crows, gulls etc. but when you see the number of skiers who throw away or drop the
backing paper from their ski ticket these signs are unlikely to make any impression.

Graham