LEWIS AND HARRIS RAPTOR STUDY GROUP

Although there has not previously been a Raptor Study Group covering Lewis and Harris, several enthusiasts have studied raptors on the island in the last few decades. Interest in raptor distributions and numbers on the island has grown over recent years, particularly in conjunction with several large scale wind farm proposals. The raptor group was formed in autumn 2008 and 2009 will be the groups first field season. The Group is currently made up of nine members and it is hoped that through the formation of the group we will gain a greater insight into raptor distributions, populations and breeding success in on the island.

The Island of Lewis and Harris is the largest island in Britain covering 2200km² and is surrounded by an array of smaller islands. The landscape is characterised by low rocky hills interspersed with areas of blanket peat, and numerous lochs. Most of the ground lies below 200m whilst the hills of North Harris, and parts of Lewis rise to an altitude of 600-800m. Blanket bog and wet heath are the most common vegetation types over large expanses of the island, although on parts of the west coast, areas of calcareous grassland known as Machair have developed on windblown shell sand. The island is predominantly treeless apart from a few exotic coniferous plantations. However, in some areas which grazing animals cannot reach such as crags and islands in lochs there are fragmented remnants of native woodland. Extensive sheep grazing and deer stalking are the main land uses.

Lewis and Harris hosts an unusual but important raptor assemblage during the breeding season. Although only 7 species of raptor and one species of Owl breed on the island, Lewis and Harris holds nationally important populations of Golden Eagle, White-tailed eagle and Merlin. Golden eagles are found throughout the island but breed at particularly high densities in the hills of southern and western Lewis, and in the North Harris hills which have been designated as an SPA for the species. The population currently stands at around 60 pairs and is still expanding. Almost all the known historical sites are now occupied and in the last few years young pairs have established territories in areas where breeding has not previously been recorded. White-tailed eagles established on Harris in 1983 soon after the release on Rum but the first chick did not fledge until 2003. Since then breeding success has improved and new pairs have established most years. The population in spring 2009 stands at eight territorial pairs, 18% of the Scottish breeding population. Merlins flourish in the absence of ground predators and huge expanses of open habitat and around 100 breeding sites are known.

Voles are absent from the Island and as a result the vole specialists are uncommon. Kestrels do breed, but at very low densities and there is only a single confirmed breeding record for short-eared owl. However, there is no evidence that Hen Harriers have bred despite large areas of apparently suitable habitat. Most woodland species are also uncommon or absent although Sparrow hawks have now colonised many of the small coniferous plantations. Buzzards are locally common but are largely restricted to areas around townships and to the coasts, whilst Peregrines nest in a few scattered sea cliff sites.

Contact: Robin Reid