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Snipe maybe taken off quarry list

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Comments

  • #92
    OpenYourEyes
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,081 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    The BTO have worked with the GWCT in the UK in the past to estimate numbers and distribution of birds like Woodcock, and the GWCT seem to concur with the results of the Bird Atlas. The work for the Bird Atlas was done from 2007 to 2011, but would have been informed by species-specific surveys in or around that time too. There are a number of species that can't be surveyed for in the usual ways.

    With regards estimating population size, it's not done the same as for other breeding birds. From what I can gather from the GWCT website it seems to be done by surveying for roding males in suitable habitat of specific size in different parts of the country, and using that as an index against other areas of similar habitat to extrapolate a figure for the country - not necessarily checking every single suitable patch of habitat, but still coming up with a fairly robust figure at the end of it. And obviously standardising those methods over time means you'll have comparable results that will be useful in establishing a trend.

    A bit of reading on it here: http://woodcockwatch.blogspot.ie/2014_02_01_archive.html#.VFWuEBbp-8c
    and here: http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/woodcock-survey

    And here's a recent Birdwatch Ireland piece on them, with agricultural intensification suggested as the most likely cause of their decline: http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=vMoYbuYDci8%3D&tabid=1411


  • #93
    Cass
    Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 28,816 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cass


    Lads,

    Keep it civil, stop the tit for tat, and attack the post and not the poster.


    First and ONLY warning.
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    If you see a problem post use the report post function. Click on the three dots on the post, select "FLAG" & let a Moderator deal with it.

    Moderators - Cass otmmyboy2 , CatMod - Shamboc , Admins - Beasty , mickeroo



  • #94
    ghostmountain
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭ghostmountain


    shotie wrote: »
    ive seen loads of snipe this year so far .where every theres a wet patch there be snipe. next it be pheasant and duck to be off the list .if habitat loss is the problem wouldnt ya think the nargc would be doing something to save key areas like bogs and wetlands .same think happened to the curlew there wasnt the habitat for them so there numbers droped save the habitats and youl save the birds .there wont be a any bird left to shoot if there going to keep this crack up ,bogs are been cleared for wind turbines,forests are been cut down.ditches been took out .land been drained .
    and with all the so called research why do they always leave it till the last minit when theres only so many breeding pairs of birds left surly they would no after years of research when populations are going down then is the time to do something about it not leave it to the last minit when theres only a few breeding pairs left .if the nargc bought little pockets of dirty land and gave it out to gun clubs wouldnt it be a huge help knowing that piece of land will always stay that way un-touched ,where's a farmer might decide next year he will reclaim that spot of land and that be another spot lost .



    I have seen a lot of snipe this year as well, but thats not a very scientific way of counting them. other areas may be empty.
    great idea about the bits of land, but can you see the nargc buying any bits of land and giving it to the local club?? doubt they would have the funds to buy anyway.
    first thing that needs to happen is bag limits, not everyone will toe the line, but some will, and that would help in some way. we have self imposed bag limits, and its up to us to keep to them, but we see the bigger picture. and we have had good shooting on our grounds for the last 30 years.


  • #95
    useurowname
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 396 ✭✭useurowname


    Personally I won't be shooting any snipe this season, or any season until definitive data is available on migrating Snipe, local numbers are certainly down and not through the fault of shooters but because of idiotic agricultural policy. I've no truck with other guys shooting them, I've done my fair share of snipe shooting over the years and I won't turn hypocrite and deny other guys their sport. But really it is high time for bag limits, I know most shooters will respect them just as they do the seasons.


  • #96
    Tea drinker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭Tea drinker


    ghostmountain wrote: »
    I have seen a lot of snipe this year as well, but thats not a very scientific way of counting them. other areas may be empty.
    great idea about the bits of land, but can you see the nargc buying any bits of land and giving it to the local club?? doubt they would have the funds to buy anyway.
    first thing that needs to happen is bag limits, not everyone will toe the line, but some will, and that would help in some way. we have self imposed bag limits, and its up to us to keep to them, but we see the bigger picture. and we have had good shooting on our grounds for the last 30 years.
    If the clubs do their part and use bag limits, surely the eurocrats need to look at habitat protection EU wide and do something about it? Even here in Ireland there's some fairly stupid looking reclamation going on. An awful lot of work for decidedly dodgy land at the end of it.

    But judging from the flooding I saw in roscommon area last week finding a bit of boggy water won't be an issue this year :)


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