Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Thursday, 14 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 November 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research is being undertaken on the population of ground-laying birds in moorlands and heaths; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research is being undertaken on the population of ground-laying birds in moorlands and heaths; and if she will make a statement. [192207] Mr. Bradshaw: A wide range of survey and monitoring is being undertaken on ground nesting birds in upland areas. The Breeding Bird Survey (jointly funded by British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) monitors annual trends of a number of upland species, while more detailed research on the ecology of grouse species being undertaken by the Game Conservancy Trust. Several studies on the ecology of upland breeding waders have been undertaken in recent years by RSPB and some universities.

Secondary information