By Felix Meister, D.Phil., Advisor Scotland
The GWCT Advisory Service Scotland delivered its last training courses of the year on Wednesday 4th December. Attendance at these courses has become a requirement under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 for anyone wishing to operate corvid traps and/or spring traps.
Following the approval of our course materials by Scottish Government on 9th October 2024 (see here), the GWCT Advisory Service Scotland have made a sustained effort to ensure that approved training courses are available on as broad a scale as possible.
Between October and December 2024, we offered a total of ten training days at six locations, distributed across the Scottish Borders, Angus, Perthshire, Moray and Nairn as well as Aberdeenshire. To date, a total of 403 certificates for either corvid trapping or spring trapping have been issued by GWCT.
Attendants at our courses were asked to complete standardised feedback forms. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
- 98% of all attendants either strongly agreed or agreed that the content was well-organised and easy to follow; that the delivery was clear and well-paced; and that all relevant topics were covered in sufficient detail.
- 97% strongly agreed or agreed that the trainer was knowledgeable.
- 98% strongly agreed or agreed with the statement that, having attended the courses, they felt more confident about the correct use of traps.
Other comments included:
“A very professional course and presentation covered by friendly and approachable experts. I really appreciated being able to attend” (Carfraemill, 7th November).
“The speaker stuck to the lawful side of trapping and didn’t feel ‘preachy’” (Cardney Steading, 30th October).
“A pleasant experience” (Glenmazeran, 12th November).
Time is running out for current or prospective trap operators who have not yet attended any courses. The new Wildlife Trap Licence, which can only be obtained on completion of an approved training course, is expected to come into effect in late spring 2025. The GWCT Advisory Service Scotland are offering more courses in February 2025 (dates and locations listed below) and places can be booked here.
- Dumfries & Galloway: 5th or 6th February
- Isle of Lewis: 12th February
- Isle of Islay: 20th February
- Sutherland: 24th February
- Morayshire: 25th February
- Aberdeenshire: 26th February
- Perthshire: 27th February
- Fife: 28th February