Monitoring is essential in order to inform
managers of progress toward objectives. Given the particular
management objectives in the CSDMG area, monitoring needs to
include habitat and deer based parameters. Data should be collected
and collated separately for each of the two proposed sub-areas
(see 11).
An annual monitoring meeting is proposed in May/June of each
year to assess past years performance and clarify and adjust
plans for the next year. This should be preceded by an information
gathering process, collation of records and distribution of
summary information by the DMG secretariat following the end
of the female open seasons. |
| |
12.1 Habitat parameters
|
| |
| 12.1.1 Open range condition |
| Range condition, especially in those areas
identified as suffering damaging impacts, requires to be monitored.
Site Condition Monitoring by SNH and previous MLURI assessments
provide background information. It is recommended that assessments
are made using the SNH Field Guide to surveying land management
impacts (this methodology is straightforward and readily done
by stalkers following brief initial training if required (c.
2 days)). [See
Appendix 10 A]. Open range monitoring should be focused
on the sensitive SSSIs. |
| |
| 12.1.2 Seedling densities and performance |
| In woodland regeneration areas methods are
available for the assessment of tree seedling densities and
performance (cf those in use in Glenfeshie).. [Results
in Appendix 10 B]. Tree seedling monitoring should be focused
on sensitive woodland SSSIs. |
| |
| 12.2 Deer parameters |
| |
| 12.2.1 Reproductive performance |
| Reproductive performance ranges from the
high performance woodland populations where over 50% of yearling
red deer are pregnant and adults rarely miss a year of breeding
to those open range areas where yearling pregnancies are few
and many adult hinds experience a yeld year. CSDMG members will
be encouraged to collect data on pregnancy and lactation. [See
Appendix 10 C] |
| |
| 12.2.2 Mortality |
| See 12.2.3 below for calf mortality. Any
occurrences of carcases should be recorded. [See
Appendix 10 D] |
| |
| 12.2.3 Recruitment |
| Recruitment reflects the converse of calf
mortality providing the number or proportion of animals approaching
one year of age in the spring, having survived the winter and
being recruited into the adult population. It has been suggested
that this has risen in recent years to about 0.37/ hind. This
figure has been applied in the models presented earlier. CSDMG
members will be encouraged to collect data on hind:calf ratios
in early summer to obtain information on recruitment (ie after
winter/spring mortality). [See
Appendix 10 E] |
| |
| 12.2.4 Immigration/emigration and short
duration movements |
| Deer will move locally on a daily basis in
response to weather conditions, especially wind direction as
well as from disturbance by people involved in outdoor recreation,
shepherding, etc. Seasonal movements between DMG areas are also
of importance. Information gathered so far is presented in Appendix
8 and forms the basis of the establishment of sub-areas. This
information is based on local knowledge but seldom have marked
animals been available. It is important that further consideration
is given to an objective appraisal of movements, perhaps by
initiating a study using radio-telemetry. CSDMG members will
be encouraged to continue to record information on the numbers
and rate of seasonal movements of deer into and out of the individual
ownerships and between the main sub-populations. [See
Appendix 10 F] |
| |
| 12.2.5 Numbers and Densities related
to targets |
| Regular counts (at least bi-annually) of
open range should be made (See Appendix 9 for 2005 count). Dung
counting should be used as the basis for estimating densities
and population size in woodlands. [See
Appendix 10 G] |
| |
| 12.2.6 Cull Records related to targets |
| Cull targets and summaries should be collated
and recorded. [See
Appendix 10 H]. |
