20 November, 2015
Strathbeg goose funding applications open
Applications open for prospective applicants to apply to the Loch of Strathbeg Goose Management Scheme 2016 on Monday, through the Loch of Strathbeg Local Goose Management Group (LGMG).
Every autumn pink-footed geese fly 800 km from their breeding grounds in Iceland to Scotland. One of the first places they land is Loch of Strathbeg Special Protection Area, where numbers can reach 50,000.
In spring, as the geese prepare for their journey back to their breeding grounds, up to 20,000 feed on grass on neighbouring farmland, delaying the turnout for livestock and reducing yields of silage. The Loch of Strathbeg Goose Management Scheme was introduced to help meet the costs owners incur by allowing the geese to graze on their land undisturbed.
Since 1994, a goose management scheme, in one form or another, has been in place at the Loch of Strathbeg. In 2013, a reduction in funding for all goose schemes in Scotland resulted in the boundary being reduced to cover the agricultural areas just north and south of the Loch of Strathbeg roost. Previous monitoring results show that these areas have always attracted higher goose numbers.
Speaking on behalf of the LGMG, Russell Hooper of Scottish Natural Heritage, scheme administrator, said:
“There was a good level of participation by local farmers in the scheme last year, and recorded goose usage was high, so we have no plans to change the scheme in 2016. We encourage all landowners within the scheme boundary to apply to participate in the 2016 scheme.
“The LGMG also want to acknowledge the success of the scheme over the years, and the important role played by scheme participants in conserving this internationally important species.”
Application packs will be available from the SNH Aberdeen office from Monday, 23 November, and the deadline for applications will be on Friday, 18 December. For more information, contact Russell Hooper on 01224 266511 or email russell.hooper@snh.gov.uk.
Ends
MEDIA QUERIES
Contact SNH media officer, Vicki Mowat, on 0131 316 2659 or vicki.mowat@snh.gov.uk (Tues-Fri) or the SNH main press office on 01463 725 022 (Monday).
- Up to a fifth of the world population of pink-footed geese, visit or roost each winter at Strathbeg
- The Loch of Strathbeg Goose Management Scheme was first piloted between 1994 and 1997, and has continued in one form or another until present day.
- Loch of Strathbeg Goose Management Group consists of representatives from NFUS, SGRPID, SNH, the University of Aberdeen, RSPB and Scottish Agricultural College.
- The 2010 Review of Goose Management Policy in Scotland can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/02/03083950/0
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