Following the joint work by GWCT and the James Hutton Institute to complete SNH Research Report number 1022 (Developing a counting methodology for mountain hares in Scotland), our advisory team has been on the road in the first of a series of training sessions. These are designed to bring practitioners up to speed with the night time counting techniques set out in the report. An essential component delivered during the sessions is the mapping of appropriate survey transects to be used by keepers and land managers. These sessions also describe the way in which Estates, Reserves and other land holdings can contribute data to the pilot National Monitoring Scheme, a very important step towards defining the conservation status of Mountain Hares in Scotland.
We will be continuing to roll out courses so please let us know at Scottish HQ if you are interested in signing up for training!