Ravens in Orkney could be culled in new scheme to protect livestock

Young ravens in Orkney could be culled under a new licensing scheme to protect livestock on the island.

Orkney farmers told NatureScot that the ravens are causing distress and preying on their young calves and lambs.

Older breeding pairs are not really a problem, but the Scottish nature agency recognised that “considerable numbers” of juvenile, non-breeding raven “can form ‘mobs’ of up to 100 or more birds”.

The birds often prey upon livestock during lambing or calving season.

NatureScot is currently developing plans to expand the licensed shooting of young ravens, with the aim of deterring other birds and removing problem birds causing damage.

Similar discussions are also taking place on Shetland.

Ravens are the biggest member of the crow family, and Scotland holds the majority of the UK population – there is a minimum of 40 breeding pairs across Orkney.

The highly intelligent birds are classified in the UK as green under the Birds of Conservation Concern list, but it is still illegal for people to kill them without a license.

NatureScot already issues a number of licenses to cull ravens under specific circumstances – including threats to livestock – however, the nature agency has committed to developing a potential Orkney area-based licensing scheme for ravens.

The organisation said the new approach would “better balance effective management of ravens causing damage with essential species conservation”.

The organisation has also agreed to look at data and information gathering to better understand the raven census and the impact of juvenile raven populations on Orkney.

After speaking to farmers and residents last week, a spokesperson for NatureScot said it had agreed to take steps to better understand the impact young ravens were having on the island and to develop a better licensing scheme.

“We will meet with stakeholders again in August to discuss progress, with similar discussions to take place on Shetland,” a spokesperson for NatureScot said.

“Not everyone affected by these issues was able to attend the meetings, and we will continue to engage with the relevant views and experiences of local people.”