This page provides information on articles, papers, books and other publications relevant to raptors and raptor workers. It will primarily relate to current material and please Contact Us with any suggestions for inclusion.

Title: Reproduction of insular Buzzards Author(s): Beneharo Rodriguez et al Published by: BTO - Bird Study Vol 57 Part 1 pp75-83, 25th February 2010 ISBN: 00 Price: £0 Availability: by subscription from www.bto.org Summary: The aim ws to analyse the density and nesting habitat preferences of Buzzards on the island of Tenerife, and describe the life history traits of this population. Buzzards mainly used cliffs to nest, especially taller and sheltered ones, located in rugged ares and in sympatry with Barbary Falcons. Characteristics of breeding territory did not predict productivity. All reproductive rates were similar to those reported for some continental populations except nesting success, which was higher.

Title: Habitat and breeding performance in Barn Owl Author(s): William R. Meek, Peter J.Burman et al Published by: Bird Study - BTO - Vol56 Part 3, 19th December 2009 ISBN: Price: £0 Availability: by subscription from www.bto.org Summary: The study examines the relationship between habitat variables and various aspects of breeding and foraging performances for 257 Barn Owl breeding attempts involving both released and wild birds over a 14 year period. It concluded that the paucity of significant results may be evidence that Barn Owls are rather catholic and adaptable in their habitat requirements, and not as dependent upon large areas of Field Vole (or other) habitat as has often been stated.

Title: Raptors: a field guide for surveys & monitoring Author(s): Jon Hardey, Humphrey Crick, Chris Werham, Helen Riley, Brian Etheridge, Des Thompson Published by: TSO - The Stationery Office, 05th October 2009 ISBN: 9780114973452 Price: £18.99 Availability: through the TSO at 0870 600 5522 or www.tsoshop.co.uk Summary: This is the second edition of the SRSGs 'bible' which has been extensively revised and now includes a photographic guide to ageing chicks and to the identification of moulted raptor feathers. Please see the members area for further details of purchase and full content.

Title: The Thin Green Line Author(s): Alan Stewart Published by: Argyll Publishing, 20th September 2009 ISBN: 978 1 906134 37 2 Price: £11.99 Availability: available widely through bookshops Summary: with assistance from other WCO's Alan presents a variety of fascinating case studies from all corners of Britain and Ireland and also recounts how the effects of international crime manifests itself on these shores, from water voles to elephants and from rare bulbs to Indian tigers. There are many cases from Scotland and a number involving birds of prey.

Title: Resolving conflict between grouse and hen harriers Author(s): P.S.Thompson, A.Amar, D.G.Hoccom, J.Knott & J.D.Wilson Published by: Journal of Applied Ecology, 18th September 2009 ISBN: 00 Price: £0 Availability: By subscription from British Ecological Society Summary: This is the RSPB response to the recent Redpath/Thirgood paper on the 'population ceiling scheme' for Hen Harriers. The authors question the legitimacy of driven grouse shooting as a sustainable land use if driven grouse shooting is only viable when birds of prey are routinely disturbed and killed. They suggest that moorland owners need to consider more broadly sustainable shooting practices for the 21st century.

Title: Hen Harrier and Red Grouse economics Author(s): Nick Sotherton, Stephen Tapper & Adam Smith Published by: Journal of Applied Ecology, 18th September 2009 ISBN: 00 Price: £0 Availability: By subscription from the British Ecological Society Summary: This paper suggests that consideration of social and economic factorswill be needed to resolve conflict but suggests that a reduction in management effort from driven to walked up shooting is not the answer. The authors suggest that a more satisfactory approach to harrier/grouse conflict would be to reduce harrier predation by means of diversionary feeding and to address the problem of the rapid buil up of harrier numbers by exploring the use of ceilings on harrier densities.

Title: Harriers and Grouse - moving towards consensus Author(s): Steve Redpath & Simon Thirgood Published by: Journal of Applied Ecology, 18th September 2009 ISBN: 00 Price: £0 Availability: By subscription from the British Ecological Society Summary: The authors claim that for the first time stakeholders, researchers and policy advisors are engaged in effective dialogue and are striving for solutions. There are apparently encouraging signs that all sides are now willing to listen to alternative viewpoints and are apparently prepared to seriously consider compromises. The authors hope that that a solution can be found as this will have positive ramifications for management of heather moorlands in the UK and wider implications for the conservation of predators around the world.

Title: Natal and breeding dispersal of White-tailed Eagles Author(s): D.P.Whitfield, A.Douse, R.J.Evans, J.Grant, J.Love, D.R.A.McLeod, R.Reid & J.D.Wilson Published by: Bird Study Vol. 56 Part 2 pp 177-187, 29th June 2009 ISBN: 00 Price: £0 Availability: Through the BTO at www.bto.org Summary: The aim was to examine the correlates of variation in dispersal in a reintroduced population of White-tailed Eagles in the west of Scotland. Most movements result from natal dispersal. Natal Dispersal Distance was lower in males than females and was consistent with the hypothesis that males compete for resources in order to attract females, and hence there is a greater selective advantage for males to stay closer to their natal site, whereas females compete for different males and can disperse further. There is little evidence that NDD of the species in western Scotland is being affected by increasing population density suggesting that carrying capacity is far from being realized.

Title: Call of the Eagle Author(s): Dave Walker Published by: Whittles Publishing - www.whittlespublishing.com, 29th May 2009 ISBN: 978-1904445-82-1 Price: £16.99 Availability: Natural History bookstores and through publishers Summary: Dave Walker is chair of the Argyll RSG but still lives in the Lake District. This is the story of Dave's efforts over 30 years to study, protect and defend England's rarest bird, in what is described as a remarkable and unparalleled record of eagle behaviour. It also presents a detailed study of a single eagle following its arrival in Cumbria in 1982, until its death 22 years later. There are 180 pages with 4 pages of colour plates

Title: The social behaviour of the Common Buzzard Author(s): Robin J. Prytherch Published by: British Birds 102 pp247-273, 06th May 2009 ISBN: 00 Price: £0 Availability: by subscription from www.britishbirds.co.uk Summary: In a long-term study of Common Buzzards in Avon special emphasis was placed on social behaviour. This is more complex than previously thought with several new behaviours being described. Flight behaviours are shown to be distinctive for territorial pairs and unpaired birds. Buzzards defend their territories from intruding birds by using assertive postures. A range of behaviours advertise the presence of a pair in territory and these are well illustrated within the text. The behaviour of juveniles is also distinctive. Suggestions to the origins of the display are made.