October 2, 2024
Kaidi Tingas
Pilot project to regulate the abundance of small predators in coastal meadows found international recognition
On 25 September, the umbrella organisation of European hunters, FACE, presented the Estonian Hunters’ Society with an award for its significant contribution to nature and fauna.
The award was given for the pilot project of hunting small predators, which has enabled us to control the abundance of foxes, raccoon dogs and jackals in five coastal meadows in Läänemaa, Hiiumaa and Muhumaa, which in turn has allowed waders nesting in the coastal meadows to nest more safely.
The project is led by Jaanus Vaiksoo from the Estonian Hunters’ Society, and the monitoring of bird nesting performance is organised by nature conservation biologist Triin Kaasiku from the University of Tartu. The results of hunting undertaken for the conservation of birds are assessed during the spring breeding season based on the success of hatching of the young. In three years, the most gratifying results were achieved in Läänemaa: as a result of hunting, hatching success in the Haeska and Põgari regions increased to the desired 40%, so it can be said that in these grasslands the project achieved its goal – as a result of hunting, bird populations were able to reproduce themselves. However, hunting alone is not enough – at the same time, we have also started restoring coastal meadows and removing groves there.
In the Emmaste project area in Hiiumaa, hatching success increased very little. In the Õunaku project area, hatching success remained at the same low level, and in the control area it even decreased. In Hiiumaa, predation pressure is generally very high, which is also indicated by the poor hatching success in the control area.
As yet, there are no results from Muhumaa, Kõinastu lee or Võilaid. Fortunately, with the funds allocated from the state budget, we will be able to continue hunting small predators in cooperation with the Estonian Hunters’ Society at least in 2024/25.
