8.2.1 The purposes for which SRMS data can be used by SRMS partners

Where appropriate, SRMS seeks to ensure that detailed information (i.e. 100m resolution) is made available to those in the statutory and voluntary conservation organisations who need such data to ensure that species and sites are adequately protected from development or other threats. SRMS partner organisations use the SRMS data to support a range of conservation uses, including development of effective conservation policy, assessment and reporting of the conservation status of raptor populations for international conservation obligations and national designated sites, planning of national surveys of raptors, production of responses to human developments and threats and provision of information to help combat wildlife crime, for example. The terms and conditions governing the use of SRMS data by SRMS partners is detailed below.

Below is a list of routine conservation uses which SRMS data can be used for by the named SRMS partner organisations.

SRMS partner Agreed purposes for which SRMS data can be used by each partner
BTO ·      To contribute to the Nest Record Scheme to enhance the production of UK-wide trends in the breeding performance of raptors which are published in the BirdTrends report.

·      To plan national surveys for raptors (e.g. as part of the SCARABBS programme).

FLS ·      To protect raptors from disturbance by forest management activities such as tree felling and track construction, and from other activities such as formal and informal recreation.
NatureScot ·      SRMS data may be used by NatureScot (or those working directly on their behalf) for the purposes of fulfilling its statutory nature conservation functions with respect to raptors including:

·      To establish protected areas.

·      To contribute to NatureScot Site Condition Monitoring.

·      To identify areas where targeted conservation action should be directed by NatureScot for species conservation (e.g. informing management decisions and management planning on designated sites).

·      To inform responses to development control casework.

·      To update sensitivity maps for developments (e.g. onshore windfarms).

·      To plan national surveys for raptors (e.g. as part of the SCARABBS programme).

·      To understand the causes of population change and limitation in raptors.

·      To support the development and implementation of policy and action for raptors.

·      For national reporting on Annex 1 species (e.g. as required under Article 12 of the EU Birds Directive and the Convention on Migratory Species’ Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of migratory raptors).

·      For reporting on monitoring activity (that may disturb birds listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act) undertaken under license.

RBBP ·      To maintain the UK’s definitive archive of rare breeding bird data. In the context of breeding raptors, data will be provided for those raptor species which feature on RBBPs species list, currently Honey-buzzard, White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Goshawk, Golden Eagle, Osprey, Merlin, Hobby, Peregrine.
RSPB ·      To inform responses to development control casework.

·      To plan regional and national surveys for raptors (e.g. as part of the SCARABBS programme).

·      To update sensitivity maps for developments (e.g. onshore windfarms).

·      To inform Investigations Team work to help prevent wildlife crime. Data will at times be required to form part of intelligence packages provided to the police or National Wildlife Crime Unit.

SF ·      To protect raptors from disturbance by forest management activities such as tree felling and track construction, and from other activities such as formal and informal recreation.

·      To screen the potential impact of planting proposals before they are submitted to SF for approval for grant support.

·      To determine the requirement for an EIA assessment associated with a forest operation.

·      To monitor trends in raptor success associated with forest operations approved and grant aided under SRDP.

SOC ·      To plan surveys of raptors locally or nationally (in liaison with other partners).

·      For the purposes of compiling a national Scottish Bird Report.

·      For the purposes of supplying summaries for inclusion in local bird reports.

SRSG ·      To further its knowledge of status, distribution and breeding success of raptors in Scotland.

·      To organise monitoring coverage.

·      SRSG are also encouraged to use its own data that has been processed by the SRMS (see section 6) to satisfy any commercial requests for data. However, SRSG may not sell any SRMS data originating from a non-SRSG source to a third party or use it within work for which there is a commercial gain or for research publications without approval of the data owner.

See:

8.2.2 The purposes for which SRMS data cannot be routinely used by SRMS partners