British Birds VOLUME 8 6 NUMBER 4 APRIL 1 9 9 3

History of the Northern Pintail breeding in Britain and Ireland

A. D. Fox ami E. R. Meek

The Northern Pintail Anas acuta is a sporadic breeding species throughout its range in Eurasia and North America, ft is often reported to breed

irregularly, despite apparently catholic nesting requirements. Closer analysis of the species' breeding preferences, however, suggests that, in fact, the habitat requirements are quite precise, but it is the ephemeral nature of features of the habitat that makes conditions less predictable than in the case of related dabbling ducks.

In North America, the species has shown a catastrophic 55% decline in its population during 1955-88, apparently owing to enormous loss of nesting habitat in the prairie pot-hole country (Williams 1990). Duck production varies greatly, being dependent on availability of wedands created by erratic patterns of precipitation (Crissey 1969) and agricultural drainage (Krapu 1977).

\l)nt. Birds (16; 151-162, April I993| 1 5 1

152 History of Northern Pintail in Britain and Ireland

In detailed studies, Northern Pintails preferred areas of sparse vegetation cover, favouring herbaceous plantings established specifically for wildlife or to combat soil erosion. Areas managed for a hay crop were of secondary impor­tance, while fallow grasslands were least favoured (Klett et al. 1988). Fewer than 5% of nests were in wetlands, and the majority of nest sites were natural depressions on open prairie with no cover.

In North America, Northern Pintails nest farther from shallow water than do other duck species, moving broods to nursery areas up to 3 km (usually 1-2 km) from nest sites (Keith 1961; BeUrose 1979; Duncan 1983). Duncan (1987) found that nests on islands comprised only a small proportion of the total, and also argued that this dispersion pattern may have evolved in order to reduce densities and hence offer a predator-avoidance strategy. The adoption of such a strategy, however, has a cost in terms of potential increase in predation caused by increased distance from nest site to duckling nursery.

Prc-nesting females feed on aquatic invertebrates, principally in wetland habitats subject to frequent drying-out; they always select shallow-water wet­lands after flooding, and also take earthworms forced to the surface by elevated water levels (Krapu 1974).

The species' nesting requirements in Eurasia are less well known, although it consistently selects shallow aquatic habitats in open grassland areas, most frequendy eutrophic waters. Such habitats are subject to most threat from modification through drought, disappearance of temporary pools, pollution, late-spring flooding and drainage (Cramp & Simmons 1977).

In Europe, wintering numbers have remained stable in recent years, although there is little monitoring of breeding populations (Monval & Pirot 1989). Like many other waterfowl species, the Northern Pintail has an essen­tially Continental breeding distribution, ranging from the northern tundra, through the temporary wetlands of the steppe to some isolated Mediterranean sites. It winters along the mild western fringe of the European landmass, and in the nineteenth century some breeders colonised these more oceanic parts of its range, away from the Continental stronghold. Numbers breeding in western Europe remain generally small, however, with a few pairs in France, 200 pairs in Denmark, 130 pairs in Germany, 20 pairs in Austria and small populations elsewhere, although larger numbers breed in Fennoscandia, including about 20,000 in Finland (Cramp & Simmons 1977).

The Northern Pintail, like several other duck species, first colonised Britain in the late nineteenth century. Proved breeding was first reported from Invcrncss-shirc, in 1869, and the first English record followed in 1910, from Kent. Nesting was first reported from Orkney around 1907 (Noble 1908; Hale & Aldworth 1910), and these islands have since become the British stronghold of the species, supporting 17 out of a possible 39 breeding pairs in 1989 (Spencer el al. 1991) and with 22-26 potential breeding pairs found in 1991 during the first extensive survey (Meek in prep.). The total British breeding population was estimated at about 50 pairs in the late 1960s (Sharrock 1976), including about 20 pairs in Scotland, where there is little suggestion of any change in status in recent years (Thorn 1986).

The analysis presented here reviews the status and distribution of Northern Pintails nesting in Britain and Ireland, in an attempt to determine the extent

History of Northern Pintail in Britain and Ireland 153

to which the current restricted breeding population is protected under national and international site-safeguard programmes.

Methods Data in county avifaunas and annual bird reports were used (o compile a national picture for the years 1983-90, and these provide: the basis for estimates of the total breeding numbers. Data were also kindly provided by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel (RBBP). The British Trust for Ornithology Nest Record Scheme holds 18 cards for Northern Pintail; these records, and accompanying details of nest-site characteristics, were also incorporated.

Results England In England, much of the Northern Pintail breeding population is associated with coastal wetlands. Pairs frequently summer inland, however, including in three consecutive summers in Northamptonshire since 1980. SOLTHURN KNGIAND

KENT

The first apparently genuine record of breeding in England by wild Northern Pintails came from Kent in 1910, but regular nesting did not appear to follow. Pairs summered on the North Kent Marshes in the late 1940s, and a female with small young was seen in 1947; the s|M-cics was again present in 1948, and a brood of three was recorded in 1949 (Gillham & Homes 1950). During the period 1952-76, breeding was restricted to this site, with six pairs in 1952, although none bred the following year when flooding left the marshes unsuitable (or breeding waterfowl; one to live pairs bred annually during 1957-67 and single pairs in 1971, 1972 and 1974, Summering individ­uals were recorded in many of the other years, with occasional records also from the Stonr Valley wetlands and Romney Marsh {Taylor el at. 19811. Since thai time, summering has been regular at Klmley Marshes, but no breeding has been confirmed since 1981 (one brood at Klmley and lour at Clillc) and 1982 (a pair bred at Klmley and pairs summered at two other sites). The species summered at two to four sites during 1984-88, and with suitable management could doubtless consolidate its presence in the county. (Kail Bird Reports: I. Hodgson in till.)

si ssi-.x

The species bred in Sussex in 1925 and 1936, while a pair attempted In breed in 1970. In the Rye area, pairs remained late in spring throughout the 1980s, and summering individuals have been reported from Thorney Island; several pairs were recorded in May 198-1, lor instance, but breeding has rarely been confirmed. Feral Northern lantails from the YVIldibwl and Wetlands Trust Centre at Arundel often breed and may raise young ie.g. a brood of lour in 1984-). but gen­erally none survives to Hedging and this is not thought to be an impoilanl source of records. A female with three young was seen at Rye in 1988, the only recent breeding record. iSnssn liirel Reports)

tlAMrsHiRt:

Several pairs summered in Langstone Harbour in 1979 and one pair in 1983, but there has been no hint of breeding in the county. (Cohen & Taverner 1972; Hampshire Bird Reports; K. J. Wiseman in litl.)

DORSET

The small Dorset population is thought to be of feral origin, but individuals have summered regularly in the Lodmoor/Radipolc Lake area since 1983, when a lemale was seen with three young, the first breeding record in the county. (Dorset Bird Reports)

CORNWALL

The report of a pair nesting at Skewjack Pond. Somen, in 1938 was considered unreliable Occasional summering individuals have been recorded, but there is a history of feral releases in

154 History of .Northern Pintail in- Britain and. Ireland

the county which may have resulted in records being incomplete, i'he only recent breeding record was of a. li'male with two young on a freshwater pool on the Lizard Peninsula in 1978. In addition, a released (hut pinioned) pair bred annually near Truro lor some years prior to 1985, their free-llying offspring dis|>er.smg usually in June; inlbrmatkm since 1985 is lacking, [(hmwall Bird Rtfmrl!,-. S, M. Christophers in litt.i

KASTKRN ENGLAND

IJN<:O[.NSHIRI-:

The species bred in the (enlands in 194-0, 1952 and 1953 and possibly in, 1951 (Smith & Ctira-vvaliis 1955). but there are no recent records, although late-stayers often remain in some areas UJmolnshm Hint Reports). Summering individuals occur very rarely, presumed to be pricked birds ((J. P. Catlcy in tillX

CAMBRttXaSIHRI.

The species may have first bred in 1928, since a drake noUxl among Aylesbury ducks at Earith in 1929 had been raised from a downy duckling taken lfo.ni the wild in the previous year (Utek 19I54-). Breeding was finally proved in 1947, on the OUST Washes, and in 1951, on the Nene Washes, since when the species has bred sporadically to the present day (Bireltam 1989). In recent years, breeding success has been extremely variable, dependent olien on the unpredictable water levels: too low a level in spring, may lead to the abandonment of the site altogether, while late-spring Hooding can wash out nests, across the entire Ilnodlands. Records for 1977-90 are sum­marised in table 1. Away from the Ouse Washes, pairs summered at- two sites in 1986 and a pair bred on tin- Nene Washes in 1988. Tin.' species is exceptionally rare in summer away from the washiands.

T a b i c 1, N u m b e r s o f Northern Pintai ls Anas acuta tweeeding i n Cambridgesh ire , 1977-90

Data from Cambridge Bird Reports and the RBBP

NORFOLK

Two pairs on Roudham Heath in the Breeks in 1929 were considered at the time to have l>een among the first breeding in rkigiand, but none appears to have bred subsequently until 1949, when a pair retired young on Breydon Marshes. Unsuccessful breeding, attempts followed in 1950-5:5 and 1956-58, lint with no records since apparently, although one or two pairs nested at Cley duting- 1958-60. (Seago 1977; Norfolk Bird and Mammal Reports)

stwot.K

Northern Pintails first bred in the county after the 1937 floods, when a nest was (bund at Delft Marsh, Ijitkenheath, A female with a brood was seen at Minsmere in 1951, where breeding was probably attempted in 1967 and 1972 (Payn 1978). Since 1950, the species has summered with

Year

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 198:5 1981 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

No. pairs in spring

2

1 0 2

6 8

2-3 ? 3

-,> 4+

4-6 2+ 6

No. sites

1 1 4 1 9

1 2

1 1 9

2 2

2 3

No. ttests known

0 0 0 ? 0 0

)» 1 9

1 1 1 1 0

No. broods located

9

0 5 2

I 0

2-3 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

History of Northern Pintail in Britain and Ireland 155

great regularity at Minsrncre, Walberswick and Benacre Broad; in 1987, a pair almost certainly nested and individuals were seen at at least lour other sites. {Suffolk Bird Reports, P. Mui-phv in f/M.i

KNNKX

In 1965, a pair attempted to nest at Hanninglield Reservoir, and the species summered in several subsequent years. Breeding was not proved, however, until 1970, when a pair raised live young at Langenhoe Marsh; in the following year, a nest with nine eggs on a saltmarsh at Rat Island in northeast Essex was destroyed bv a high tide (Cox 1984). It was not until 1983 that breeding was again proved: a pair with nine young. In 198!), a female was obseived with six ducklings at Old Hall Marshes. In 1989, an apparently wild pair reared three juveniles in a vvildlbwl collection close to the 1983 site, all departing when the family Hedged. iKs.sex Rird Reports)

NORTHEAST ENGLAND

YORKSHIRK

The species bred at Skipwith Common in 1932 and 1938, at DriihVId in 1962, and probably at Puffin Bog in 1966 (Mather 1986). Breeding occurred again in 1983 and 1989 (RBBP).

TKKS-SIDK

Pairs bred at Cowpen Marsh in 1954 and 1961. The origins of individuals summering since 1959, however, are questionable, since feral stock were introduced onto Rossmere Park Eake, West Hartlepool, and their full-winged offspring were permitted to fly free (Stead 1961). Occasional individuals are recorded in summer, e.g. at Saltholme Pool and up to live on Cowpen Marsh in 1977. [Cleveland Bird Reports)

\ORTHt i\IBK,R]„\ND

The first possible breeding was reported from Prestwick Carr in the mid nineteenth century, and in 1912 it was considered that the species might still nest. One or two pairs bred on Northum­brian lakes in 1916 and 1917, since when the only proof oI breeding seems to be a record of a lemale and four downy young in May 1945. ('Galloway & Meek 1978; N. Rossiter in Hit.)

DURHAM

First breeding was in 1985, at a small moorland reservoir, although regular visits since have failed to prove any subsequent nesting. Although small numbers linger late on the marshes on the north side of l'eesmouth, no breeding has been reported in recent years. (T. Armstrong in litt.)

NORTIIWEST ENGIAND

UIKSHIRK

The first breeding record for the county involved a drake Northern Pintail paired with a lemale Mallard A. platyrhynchos which bred near Knutsford in 1890. A brood of live ducklings 'barely able to fly' was seen at the sludge lagoons on Frodsham Marshes in 1969, following summering records in the previous year; pairs also attempted to nest at the same site in the three subsequent years, apparently unsuccessfully. The species summered at Rostherne Merc in 1977. 1978 and 1981, but breeding was never proved (Guest el al. 1992). Up to 13 have summered regularly at Woolston Eyes since 1983, including four males on 10th June 1983, though with no evidence of breeding (T. Broome in litt.); recent drainage of the most important bed al the site has probabiv reduced the possibility of successful breeding in the immediate future.

IANCASHIRK

The species may have bred on the Ribble in 1961 and at Mere Brow in 1970 (not 1967 as stated by Spencer 1973), and did breed on the Ribble in 1972 and 1973 (Greenhalgh 1975j. Females with ducklings seen at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre at Martin Mere in 1978 and 1983 were assumed to have come from the collection. Since 1960, the species has been recorded frequently from the Leigh ton Moss and Freckle ton areas, but with few cases of probable or con­firmed breeding. (Ijmcashire Bird Reports; M.Jones in litt.)

(iRKATF.R MANCHftSTKR

Although Northern Pintails may stay late in suitable habitats (e.g. at Pennington/Lightshaw in 1982; at Lightshaw Hall Flash in 1986), the only breeding record involves a case of suspected hybridisation with Mallard in 1991. {(mater Manchester Bird Reports; T. S. (Joss in litt.)

156 History of Northern Pintail in Britain and Ireland

CUMBRIA

Pairs bred ai Cark-in-Cartmel and on the Ijtrven estuary in 1965, near Appleby in 1968. on the Solway Firth ill 1973, 1976 and 1982, and in the Carlisle/Eden area in 1982. In 1983, the species bred at three sites and was present in the breeding season at a further two. Recently, individuals have summered in most years. (Hutcheson undated; M. Carrier in litl.)

Scotland

Since 1965, annual breeding has been reported only from Caithness and Orkney, but even there regular censuses have not been carried out and assess­ment of trends is difficult. In addition, sporadic breeding records have come from Berwick (1970, 1980), Loch Lcven (1962), Perth'(1974, 1976), Angus (1970), Ross & Cromarty (about 1970) and Shetland (1977). Records from Renfrew, Dumbarton and Bute in the 1930s and 1940s may relate to escapes (Thorn 1986).

SOUTHWEST SCOTIAND

A pair bred at Glencaple in 1949 (Baxter & Rintoul 1953) and at other sites in 1970 and 1992, but breeding has seemingly not become established in Dumfries. The species has regularly at­tempted to breed in Calloway, however, where, during 1953-92, Donald Watson (in lilt.) recorded up to three pairs in most years: nests were found in 1960 and 1970, and broods seen in 1953, 1965 (two), 1966 (two), 1968 (perhaps as many as five), 1971, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980 (two); in 1976, eggs were laid but did not hatch, while in 1978 two broods were reared and a further three nests flooded out (RBBP; D. Watson in Hit.). Unfortunately, in most recent years, although individuals have summered in traditional breeding areas, there have been no records of successful nesting from well-watched localities, so the species may now be lost as a regular breeder. There were no summer records in 1992 (D. Watson in lilt.).

Recent breeding data from Argyll are presented in table 2. The stronghold is the island of Tiree, where Northern Pintails were first known to breed in 1951 (Boyd 1958) and again in 1969 (Gillam & Jacobs 1971); two pairs bred in 1985, four broods appeared in 1986 and 1987, and five or six pairs nested in 1989 (Stroud 1989; Argyll Bird Reports). Northern Pintails attempted to nest on Skye in 1889 (Harvie-Brown & AlacPherson 1904), but die island supports little suitable habi­tat for the species at present.

Table 2. N u m b e r s o f Northern Pintai ls Anas acuta breed ing i n Argyll, 1977-90

Data from Scottish Bird Reports and the RBBP

Year

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

No. pairs present

0 3 2 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 2 5 0

No. sites known

0 ? 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 1 0

No. broods located

0 2 2 I 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 5 0

History of Northern Pintail in Britain and Ireland 157

SOUTHEAST SCO HAND

Loch Leven was a stronghold of this duck from the lime of first proved breeding in 1898. althongh adjacent areas were not colonised (Berrv 1939) and it has not bred regularly in the area at all since 1939. In File, the species bred at Loch Gaily in 1920, Cullaloe in 1928, Hallo Lochs in 1934, Kinghom Loch in 1935, Tentsmuir in 1972 and 1983, and Cameron Reservoir in 198! (Smout 1986).

In the Borders, a pair was present on Threipmuir in May 1904, and a nest was limnd near Listonshiels in 1912 (Munro 1988). Although two nests were found in Selkirkshire in 1901, the species has always been no more than sporadic in the Borders (Murray 1986).

NORTHEAST SCOT1AND

Berry (1939) mentioned one regular site in Moravshire, where the species also bred in 1970. but otherwise it is a scarce and irregular breeder; there are no recent records, and no breeding occurred during 1981-84 (Buckland el at. 1990). Pairs nested on (he lush Marshes in the Spey Valley in 1971 and possibly also in 1976 (Dennis 1984).

In the 1970s, the species summered regularly at two sites in Angus, with a maximum of eight pairs in 1979, but there art' very lew records of late-stayers from the 1980s, although three pairs in late April 1988 suggest that the species may yet breed again.

NORTH AND NORTHWEST SCOTLAND

The Northern Pintail was not mentioned as a breeding species in Orkney by Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891). Noble (1908) recorded a few breeding at a certain spot, and Hale & Aldworth )19I0) found several nests on Sanday, where they described the species its having been present for two or three years at least; by 1920, it had become regular as a breeding species (Baxter & Rin-toul 1922). Baxter & Rintoul (1953) described it as a regular breeder in fair numbers, and Balfour (1972) noted it as a scarce but annual nester. Since 1965, breeding has been reported annually, with pairs present on ibur islands in 1977, nesting taking place regularly on Mainland and Stron-say, and no fewer than nine pairs at one Mainland site in 1982 (Thorn 1986; Meek in prep.). In 1991, 22-26 potential breeding pairs were located at 15 sites on seven islands. Details of numbers of known sites and successful pairs (table 3) suggest some stability over very recent years, although the species has probably increased as i breeder in Orkney this century (Meek in prep.).

Breeding was first proved in Shetland in 1905, when a brood was seen at Dunrossness (Berry 1939), but nesting has not been regular since.

In Caithness, a total of four pairs was present at three sites in 1977, and breeding was proved at four different sites between 1972 and 1982; three males and a female were at an inland loch in summer 1986 (RBBP). Berry (1939) considered a record from a loch in Sutherland in 1882

Table 3 . N u m b e r s o f Northern Pintai ls Anas aruta breed ing in Orkney, 1977-90

Data from the RBBP

Year

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

No. sites

8 5 4 2

3 4 6 6 4 3 6 6 3+ 3

Pairs breeding successfully

6+ 3-7

1 2

6-7 5-7 9 6 3+ 6 6+ 7+ 1 + 8

158 History of Northern Pintail in Britain and Ireland

'somewhat unsatisfactory", but recorded an adult seen with a juvenile in northwest Sutherland in 1936; more recently, the species bred in Sutherland in 1970 and 1980. In Inverness-shire, pairs summered in 1976. 1977 and 1984, and bred in 1983 and 1988. Sporadic breeding has also occurred in Morayshire since the early twentieth century.

Northern Pintails lirst bred in the Outer Hebrides in 1902, possibly as a result of introductions onto Harris at that time. (Vesting occurred irregularly (luring the early part <>(" the twentieth cen-tuty (Berry 1939) and in 1946 and 1947, and during the 1970s a few summered on North Uist (Hopkins & Coxon 1979). More recently, the species probably bred in 1983; was present and probably bred at two sites, with one female fledging nine young, in 1984; and a pair attempted to breed in 1985.

Wales

This has been an irregular breeding species in Dyfed for several years, and has summered on odd occasions in Anglesey. A pair bred at Pontarsais, Car­marthen, in 1989, while three pairs attempted to nest on Skomcr in 1989 and two in 1990 {Welsh Bird Reports).

Ireland

The Northern Pintail first bred in Ireland in 1917, and has since bred in six counties: Armagh, Antrim, Down, Laois, Londonderry and Roscommon. During 1968-72, single pairs were found at Lough Beg, Co. Londonderry and in Co. Roscommon (Sharrock 1976), and the only published records since are of single pairs at Lough Groan, Co. Roscommon, in 1979 and 1983. Breeding was regular at Lough Neagh from about 1917 to 1938, but became sporadic after the 1930s (Hutchinson 1989).

The general picture in Britain

Table 4 lists the numbers of Northern Pintails breeding in Britain during 1977-90 as reported to the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. These suggest a stabilisation, or even a modest increase, but such data are extremely hard to interpret, given the very low numbers nesting and the very few sites. It would appear that in 1989, the latest year for which full data are available at the time of writing, possibly 39 pairs bred in Britain, an estimated seven (18%) of which were on SSSIs or other protected sites. Much of the variation in num­bers reported relates to variation in observer coverage. Even at well-watched localities, the chances of locating a secretive female and her brood, especially in dense emergent vegetation, can be small. Hence, it would seem that, despite large year-to-year changes in numbers of pairs breeding, there is at present no evidence for any long-term pattern in the population. Consequently, there is a very real need adequately to census the population, especially- where there are important concentrations, as on the washlands of East Anglia and on the Scottish islands, which remain the strongholds of the species in Britain.

Of the 18 BTO nest record cards, eight include some description of' the precise nest site, and three of these remark on the lack of concealment of the nest. Nests were associated with a clump of rushes (two), with grass tussocks (three), under mixed grass and heather Calluna (two), and one was an open nest in coarse grassland. ATI sites would appear to be in semi-natural vegeta­tion, in some cases associated with clumps or tussocks, but the information available gives little real clue as to the species' exact nest-site requirements.

History of Northern Pintail m Britain and. Ireland 159

Table 4. Total numbers of breeding-season records of North­ern Pintail Anai aruta in Britain in 1973-90 as reported to the RBBP

Discussion There is little doubt that the Northern Pintail colonised Britain late in the nineteenth century, and that in the early twentieth century it continued to consolidate its position. The liberation of feral birds undoubtedly contributed to its spread, especially in Scotland, and may explain the rather erratic pattern of colonisation and the lack of establishment at that time. In more recent years, however, the species has appeared more regular in its use of the most favoured areas, although still sporadic in its occurrence and successful breed­ing elsewhere.

In England, it regularly occurs in summer on the Fen washlands, the North Kent Marshes, the Suifolk coast and Lancashire/Cumbrian coasts, but nowhere in substantial numbers. In Scotland, its stronghold remains Orkney, with important concentrations also in Caithness, Inverness-shire and, espe­cially, on Tiree. All these sites support relatively small breeding numbers, and not all enjoy statutory or other protection. Although the Ouse and Nene washlands hold important populations and are managed sympathetically, crucial water-level control is often not possible during the spring and summer. Abnormally high and low levels both have an adverse effect on the nesting ducks, and greater control over water levels (such as through impoundments within the washes) would enhance breeding success.

Batten et at (1990) discussed various threats to the survival of the Northern Pintail as a breeder in the British Isles, but considered that the species' nomadic or opportunistic behaviour may well cause its extinction. Such a prognosis suggests that there are few conservation measures that could be taken to protect this vulnerable and small population.

The present analysis, however, demonstrates that many of the sites utilised by tiiis rare breeding species are used regularly and that the populations at

Year

1973 1974 1975 1970 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

No. localities

3 7

11 10 15 10 19 15 16 18 23 15 17 14 16 20 16 20

Pairs confirmed breeding

,3 10 12 6

10 7

10 9 8 7

12 5 9 6 •7 /

14 11 9

Pairs pi kssibly breeding

o

1 13 10 16 10 31 16 23 25 20 13 12 12 14 1.5 28 27

Max. total

(pairs)

5 11 25 16 26 23 11 25 31 32 32 18 21 18 21 29 39 36

160 History of Northern Pintail in Britain and Ireland

83. Northern Pintails Ana', acuta, Kent, February 1982 (R. J. (."handler)

each could be protected by a programme of site-safeguard. Although further research is needed to identify the precise ecological requirements of nesting Northern Pintails, it may also be possible to enhance the current breeding population through SSSI management agreements and Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) prescriptions, which would potentially increase breeding success of the existing population and perhaps extend the current carrying capacity of the nesting habitat now used.

In Orkney, Meek (in prep.) has shown that all the sites holding breeding Northern Pintails in this vital area rely to a greater or lesser extent on current agricultural practices, and all would potentially be damaged by drainage. He showed that, of 15 sites in Orkney, only four were wholly or partially protected by formal conservation status. Eour of the remaining 11 sites fell within areas subject to Environmental Management Payments under the Agricultural Development Programme for Scottish Islands, but this scheme ceases to operate in 1993 and payments which currently help to safeguard these elements of the population will disappear. At present, there appears to be no alternative source of such conservation support funding, although the future designation of the islands as an ESA may provide such a mechanism. Similarly, the suitable areas supporting breeding Northern Pintails on Tirec would fall within the jurisdiction of the proposed Inner Hebridean ESA.

In England and southwest Scotland, most sites are associated with 'fleet'-type habitats, or brackish waters very close to the sea. Shallow eutrophic to

History of Northern Pintail in Britain and Ireland 161

brackish waters again seem favoured, and there seems little doubt that these conditions, together with nesting-habitat requirements, could be managed for if we had a better understanding of the species' precise ecological needs.

We still know very little about the true status and distribution of breeding Northern Pintails in Britain and Ireland. There is a real need to undertake autecological studies of this attractive duck if conservation organisations are to be able to safeguard its future through appropriate management.

Acknowledgments We are grateful to al! the many observers who report breeding Northern Pintails to local recorders and to the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, and we urge all ornithologists to continue this vita! process. We also express our sincere thanks to all those county recorders who collate such information and make it available for analyses such as this. In particular, we thank Tony Armstrong, Tony Broome, Mike Carrier, Graham Catley, Stanley Christophers, Thomas Stuart Goss, Ian Hodgson, Maurice Jones, John Miller, Philip Murphy, Nick Rossiter, Michael Seago, R. B. Warren, Donald Watson and Eddie Wiseman for particular help and guidance regarding their respective local areas. Dr Humphrey Crick kindly supplied nest-site details from the BTO Nest Record Scheme. The work was carried out while ADF was partly supported by financial assistance from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and was instigated at the request of Dr Leo Batten. Finally, we thank David Stroud (JNCC) for supplying information and comments on an earlier draft.

Summary Analysis of available information relating to the breeding status of the Northern Pintail Anas acuta in Britain and Ireland suggests that, since 1973, the population has been relatively stable at between three and 14 confirmed cases of breeding annually out of a potential population of 20-40 pairs per annum. The major strongholds in Britain remain the East Anglian washlands, Orkney and the island of Tiree, Argyll, with regular summering occurring in a number of other areas. Only 18% of those Northern Pintails possibly breeding in 1989 w:crc at Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and, even where this is the case (as at the Ouse and Nenc Washes, Cam­bridgeshire), sympathetic management is precluded because of external constraints (water-level control at the washland sites). In Orkney, where the majority of the population breeds, only four of 15 regular sites enjoy formal protection, the remainder depending on tin- perpetuation of current agricultural practices; four other sites are currently maintained by Environmental Man­agement Payments under the Agricultural Development Programme for Scottish Islands, which ceases in 1993. Greater research efforts are required to assess the extent of the British breeding population and its precise ecological needs, in order to develop improved management strategies for the adequate protection of such a rare breeding waterfowl species.

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in Britain. London. BAXTER, E. V., & R I N T O U I , L .J . 1922. Some Scottish Breeding Duck. Edinburgh.

& ] 953. J}K /}i),|y of Scotland. Edinburgh.

BKLLROSK, F. C 1979. Species distributions, habitats and characteristics of breeding dabbling ducks in North America. In BOOKHOUT, T. A. (ed.), Waterfowl and Wetlands an integrated review. Madison, Wisconsin.

BERRY, J . 1939. 77K Status and Distribution of Wild Geese and Wild Duck in Scotland. Cambridge. BIRCHAM, P. M. M. 1989. The Birds of Cambridgeshire. Cambridge. BOYD, J . M. 1958. The birds of Tiree and Coll. Brit. Birds 51:41-56. BUCKIJVND, S. T., BELT, M. V., & Pioozzi, N. 1990. 11K Birds of North-East Scotland. Aberdeen, BUCKIJJY, J . A., & HARVIK-BROWN, T. E. 1891. A Vatebrate Fauna if the Orkney Islands-. Edinburgh. C O H E N , E., & TAVERNER, J . 1972. A Reuhedlist of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Birds. Oxford. Cox , S. 1984. A Mew Guide to the Birds of Essex. Essex Bird-watching and Preservation Society. CRVMP, S., & SIMMONS, K. E. L. (eds.) 1977. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. vol. 1. Oxford.

162 History of Northern Pintail in Britain and Ireland

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Dr A. D. Fox, Tlv> Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucester ai2 IBT E. R. Meek, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Smyril, Stenness, Stromness, Orkney

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