Sea Eagle Management Scheme - Supporting Annex

Enhanced Management measure

1. Enhanced shepherding

The Enhanced Shepherding rate has been set at £12.80 per hour based on guidance set out in the Farm Management Handbook.

This rate is higher than the additional shepherding rate set out in the Standard Management Measures section and reflects the additional work that is required for Applicants wishing to include this measure in their SEMS Application.

This option has been targeted at Applicants managing areas of extensive open hill and who are experiencing issues with Sea Eagles on these parts of their holding.

Following a methodology set by NatureScot and with initial support and training from Call off Contractors, Applicants including this option in their SEMS Application will be expected to record their daily activity including routes taken and observations on the hill using a template and maps provided by NatureScot for the relevant hours claimed under this option.

At the end of the monitoring period, Applicants will have to provide their records along with an end of season report to NatureScot. The information collected will be used to help inform future management to try and address issues with Sea Eagles on the holding.

It is hoped that this option will allow more information to be gathered on the specific issues on the holding and that the additional presence on the hill will also act as a visible deterrent to Sea Eagle interaction with livestock in parts of the holding where this measure is carried out.

Payment for this option will be on the provision of detailed records and an end of season report. Failure to provide sufficient information will result in non-payment or part payment of the Management Agreement and is at the discretion of NatureScot.

2. Away Wintering of Sheep

The Away Wintering of Sheep rate has been set at £20.67 per head based on current agreed Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) payment rates.

Applicants must provide

• details of the number of ewes, gimmers and / or hoggs that you propose to away winter
• Evidence of the total number of ewes, gimmers and hoggs recorded on the holding as of 1 January for the year of application, plus the previous two years. You must submit flock records in support of this.
• Evidence that the number of sheep you propose to away winter are over and above the number which you traditionally away winter.
• If you have recently acquired the holding, you cannot apply for away wintering sheep as you do not have three years sheep figures. For any succession cases, (where all land and stock transfer to the new owner), you must consult RPID before applying for this option and they will advise if you are eligible.

Applicants should provide a detailed supporting justification for the benefits of carrying out this work in addressing their issues with Sea Eagles.

Please note that support for away-wintering ewes and gimmers will be prioritised as they will be rearing lambs the following season and there is a direct link with this measure and trying to reduce eagle impacts on lambs. With hoggs, because they aren’t going to be lambing the following season we would be targeting away-wintering of hoggs only in circumstances where significant predation is being reported and confirmed on hoggs during the winter from sea eagles.

Applicants who have an existing AECS Contract for away wintering are not eligible for further away wintering through the SEMS.

Capital Measures

Capital Measures - all measures will be paid at 50% or 60% of actual costs up to a maximum of £10,000 depending on the term of the Management Agreement (two or three years). Requirements for each of the capital items is outlined below:

1. Improving ground through lime

Applicants should provide a detailed supporting justification for the benefits of carrying out this work in addressing their issues with Sea Eagles.

Applicants should provide a location of the field(s) and evidence that the field is a lambing park or will be used for lambing. A soil analysis test should be carried out and provided along with any receipted claims to ensure that the liming requirements are specific to the field.

Applicants should provide an indication of the size of the field to be limed and if using a contractor to complete the works, provide two quotations to NatureScot. If carrying out the work themselves, Applicants should indicate this on their Application Form and provide receipts of the materials purchased when the work is completed.

The maximum payment for works will be based on the cheapest of the quotes provided if using a contractor. If carrying out the work themselves, the final payment will be based on receipted invoices. If invoices are less that quoted, less will be paid.

2. Reseeding of core hay/silage/grazing fields

Applicants should provide a detailed supporting justification for the benefits of carrying out this work in addressing their issues with Sea Eagles.

Applicants should indicate their rotational frequency prior to this work and payment will be based on the provision of receipts. If Applicants are using a contractor to carry out work, two quotes will be required with NatureScot using the cheapest quote. Payment for the work will be based on the provision of receipts.

3. Stock fencing (new fencing only)

Applicants should outline why stock fencing is being proposed, the benefits of this work and how it will address their issues with Sea Eagles. Payment for repairs is not eligible as per CAGS guidance. Registered Crofts are not eligible for this option with support available through CAGS.

This option can only relate to improving the management of the flock to address issues with Sea Eagles and not to improve general farm management.

For actual costs, two quotes are required and the cheapest quote will be used unless there are exceptional circumstances or a reasoning provided for using the more expensive quote. Final payment is based on the provision of receipts.

Applicant’s wishing to carry out work themselves can and there is a standard rate of £5.50 per metre for this as per other Support Schemes. NatureScot will pay 50 or 60% of the total invoiced cost for this work based on the standard rate.

A map of the location of new fencing and the estimated length in metres should be provided. NatureScot will inspect any new fencing before making payment.

4. Hill park – creation

As per stock fencing, a location of the new hill park should be provided along with details on fencing requirements and a detailed supporting justification on how this will address issues with Sea Eagles. As per stock fencing requirements, two quotes needed for materials/work to be done and receipts provided when completed. NatureScot will use the cheapest quote and inspect the hill park before making payment.

5. Scaring  

Full costs can be paid for scaring equipment following agreement with NatureScot up to £10,000. Quotes will be required for the relevant scaring equipment that is applied for.

6. Other management – only as agreed with NatureScot – ewe sponges, diversionary feeding etc.

NatureScot welcomes any innovative approaches to addressing issues with Sea Eagles from Applicants and will consider the management proposals on a case by case basis. All proposals will need to be discussed with a Call off Contractor and NatureScot before being submitted in an Application with costs contributions agreed by NatureScot.