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©D. Jackson
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In collaboration with Haworth Conservation and the University of Central Lancashire, we are using DNA to investigate the population dynamics of the hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) on the Uists, western Scotland.
The hen harrier has been heavily persecuted in the UK since the 19th century, mainly due to perceived conflicts with game bird shooting interests. The effect of this continued persecution is that the UK hen harrier population is kept artificially low and the opportunities for recolonisation of its former breeding sites remain severely limited. However, a small, breeding population of harriers has persisted on the Uists in western Scotland since the late 1800s. Due to the islands’ isolation and apparent current absence of persecution, we are investigating turnover and survival of harriers for a direct comparison with heavily persecuted populations. Individual harriers will be identified by their DNA, which can be extracted from moulted feathers that are dropped at the nest and roost sites. This technique is favoured over traditional wing-tagging and ringing because moulted feather collection is less invasive and the individual can still be identified by its moulted feathers, even if the bird has not been re-sighted in the field. Click on the logo below to see information about UCLan's Department of Forensics and Investigative Sciences
 
For further information please contact ruth.tingay@natural-research.org
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