Dotterel Charadrius morinellus numbers in relation to human impact in Scotland

Abstract

Spring densities and breeding success of dotterel Charadrius morinellus were measured on three areas. Area A was at Cairn Gorm, a granite hill where roads and chair lifts attracted many people and led to much vegetation damage and soil erosion. Very few people visited the remote, granite hill B. Area C lay near a public road and had the highest density of people from 1974 onwards, but was a rich schist hill and showed hardly any human-induced vegetation damage or soil erosion. Spring densities and breeding success of dotterel were highest on C. Annual values for dotterel density or breeding success were not correlated with those for density of people or dogs on any area. Before the developments, spring densities on A were no higher, and breeding success no better, than since the developments. The evidence indicates that so far human impact has not reduced numbers or breeding success. There was some evidence for dotterel avoiding damaged ground on A.