Prey availability and habitat suitability assessment for birds of prey within the Brecon Beacons National Park, in the context of the reintroduction of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Wales.

Abram, Megan 2023. Prey availability and habitat suitability assessment for birds of prey within the Brecon Beacons National Park, in the context of the reintroduction of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Wales. MPhil Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Successful eagle re-establishment schemes in Britain raise the possibility of reintroducing eagles to Wales. Recent studies by Williams (2020) and Lane (2021) with the conservation NGO Eagle Reintroduction Wales, identified the historical range of Welsh eagles and currently suitable release locations. However, prey species availability for raptors within Wales is poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, prey species assessments, including rabbit, livestock carrion, and roadkill surveys, were carried out within the Brecon Beacons National Park observing existing raptor hunting habits. Raptor sightings from mid-Wales roadside transects were recorded over eight months. Raptors (primarily common buzzards [Buteo buteo] and red kites [Milvus milvus]) were most seen during March, with a smaller October peak. Seasonal raptor sighting peaks followed roadkill biomass trends, suggesting raptors use roadkill to supplement their diet. Habitat selection models determined raptors selectively chose the 'Improved Grassland' habitat type, suggesting raptors are foraging preferentially in these areas. Golden and white-tailed eagles consume carrion, similar to current Welsh raptors. Following EU regulation changes (2003), farmers are required to remove fallen livestock from shared grazing areas which may have negatively affected prey availability for raptors. Surveys in four 'shared common land' sites determined fallen livestock availability to scavenging raptors. No livestock remains were found on lowland sites, but some older remains were found on upland sites, suggesting that local farmers remove fallen livestock when accessible, however, less accessible sites provide intermittent prey for upland raptors. Existing raptors within the Brecon Beacons National Park may use carrion as a major food source, from roadkill and fallen livestock in upland locations, that farmers have difficulty in accessing for carcass removal. Further study is needed within the National Park to determine the extent existing raptor species rely on supplementary feeding from local communities and official 'feeding centres' before reintroductions can be considered.

Item Type:	Thesis (MPhil)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Biosciences
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General)
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	21 March 2023
Last Modified:	05 Jan 2024 08:04
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/157775

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