Main content

Fluffy, cute ...and deadly — how sheep are a threat to nesting birds

23 May 2019

Parts of the UK’s bird population are under threat from some unlikely sources.

In Scotland, curlews, lapwings, and oyster catchers are in serious decline. A new project in East Cairngorms is attempting to find out why.

David Jarrett of the gathers camera footage from several nests to analyse what’s going wrong.

In this segment from Landward, one of the nest-cams shows that, for one oyster catcher mum, the problem is hapless livestock. They may seem cute and cuddly, but wandering sheep can prove deadly for wader chicks.

Cameras reveal tragedy and hope of nesting season

An oystercatcher attempts to defend her eggs, while little-seen nests are also observed.

Bird tales from around Scotland

Latest features from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland