The Raptor Study Group - Raptor Monitoring Scheme

Published in February 2000 The Report of the UK Raptor Working Group provided an important framework for developing work on raptors in Scotland. Following concerns about the fragmented nature of some raptor work, there was a need for more effective working partnerships to improve surveillance, monitoring, and understanding of raptors. As a result an agreement was reached to develop and manage a Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme covering all diurnal birds of prey, owls and Ravens. The parties to the agreement were Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO Scotland), the Rare Breeding Birds Panel (RBBP), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB Scotland), Scottish Ornithologists' Club (SOC), and Scottish Raptor Study Groups (SRSG). Representatives from these organisations form the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Group which oversees the work of the scheme.

The Scheme has three main objectives:-

Co-operation: to promote better co-operation between the various bodies responsible for gathering information on Scottish raptors.
Survey and Monitoring: to provide robust information on Scottish raptor populations, in order to determine trends in numbers, range, survival and productivity, and to understand the causes of population changes.
Data and information standards: to maintain high and uniform standards for the collection, collation, auditing and analysis of data, and reporting of information.

In order to meet these objectives a part-time Raptor Monitoring Officer (RMO) was appointed in 2003 whose principal responsibilities are to co-ordinate raptor population monitoring in Scotland. An important function will be to liaise with Raptor Study Groups to develop systematic field monitoring methods. In addition the RMO will collate annual data records for all species and carry out appropriate analysis. The RMO will also be responsible for producing an annual raptor monitoring report for Scotland.

The current RMO is Brian Etheridge, who has had a lifelong interest in birds and a special interest in birds of prey since he worked with the RAF in Gibralter between 1970-75. This provided tremendous opportunities to study raptor migration. This specialist interest continued when he was posted back to Scotland and between 1976 and 1987 Brian was involved in studies of breeding Sparrowhawk and Buzzard in Morayshire. On retirement from the RAF, Brian joined the RSPB and has since been involved in the Hen Harrier national survey of 1988/89 and studies into the persecution of Hen Harriers between 1990-95. Since 1996 Brian has been employed as the Red Kite Project Officer for North Scotland, a post he continues in a part-time capacity. He was appointed the part time Raptor Monitoring Officer (RMO) in January 2003.

Contact: Brian Etheridge

Download SRMS agreement as PDF

Download Current (2005) SRSG Report (PDF)
Download 2004 SRSG Report (PDF)
Download 2003 SRSG Report (PDF)

SRMS Agreement