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Support the release of juvenile game birds

URN: LANGa16
Business Sectors (Suites): Crofting and Smallholding,Game and Wildlife Management
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 2022

Overview

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This standard is about supporting the release of juvenile game birds in the wild. It relates to the work activities  that you undertake to support the release of game birds and establish them at specified locations in the wildlife management area.

This standard is for those who work in game conservation, and can be applied to any wildlife management area involved in the release of juvenile game birds.

To meet this standard you will be able to:
• establish juvenile game birds in release areas, following the release specification
• maintain the welfare of juvenile game birds during release
• support the release process to establish juvenile game birds in the wild
• maintain juvenile game birds in specified locations in a wildlife management area.

For you to fully understand the content of the standard, and the activities it describes, it is important that you are able to understand the terms used within the standard. See the Glossary for some definitions that should help you with this.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. carry out activities to support the release of juvenile game birds safely, in line with the relevant health and safety requirements
  2. follow the process for supporting the release of juvenile game birds so that the release specification can be achieved
  3. maintain the safety and security of the juvenile game birds during release
  4. maintain pest and predator controls to limit their impact on the released juvenile game birds
  5. prepare release areas to optimise the survival of juvenile game birds during release
  6. prepare juvenile game birds for release
  7. transfer juvenile game birds safely to release areas in a way that minimises stress
  8. establish juvenile game birds in release areas at the required density
  9. handle juvenile game birds in a manner that maintains their welfare and minimises stress
  10. provide feed and water to control the location and distribution of released juvenile game birds to meet the release specification
  11. observe the behaviour and condition of juvenile game birds and report any signs of stress or disorder
  12. take action to minimise the impact of disturbances likely to disrupt the planned release
  13. maintain accurate records as required by the relevant legislation, codes of practice and organisational requirements 

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. the relevant health and safety requirements associated with the release process, including the implications associated with lone working
  2. the relevant legal restrictions and codes of practice on the release of juvenile game birds
  3. how sites with conservation designations can affect the release of juvenile game birds
  4. the release specification and its relationship with planned sporting activities
  5. the release timing with regard to juvenile game bird development and shooting activities
  6. how to prepare release areas to receive juvenile game birds
  7. the release equipment and its application within the release process
  8. the methods of preparing juvenile game birds for release and the relevant codes of practice
  9. the living conditions and welfare requirements needed to maintain the health and development of the juvenile game birds during release
  10. the release techniques for juvenile game birds
  11. the expected behaviour of juvenile game birds during release and the actions to be taken if behaviour varies from the norm
  12. the signs that indicate stress or disorder in juvenile game birds
  13. how the location and distribution of released juvenile game birds can be controlled through the application of feed, water and shelter
  14. the factors that can affect the release process and how these can be controlled
  15. the effects of pests, predators, trespass and poaching on the release process
  16. how to minimise damage to natural habitat and wildlife during release
  17. the relevant legislation, codes of practice and organisational requirements for the completion and storage of records

Scope/range

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Prepare release areas in respect of:
• shelter
• protection
• safety
• security

Observe behaviour in terms of:
• feeding
• movement

Achieve release specifications in terms of:
• location of game birds
• distribution of game birds

Take action in respect of the following disturbances:
• human
• pest and predator

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

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Game birds – pheasant, partridge, duck

Release areas – areas in a wildlife management area that have been developed to support the release of game birds into the wild

Release specification – intended location and distribution of game in a wildlife management area

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANGa16

Relevant Occupations

Estate Worker, Gamekeeper, Crofter, Smallholder

SOC Code

5119

Keywords

game bird; release; pheasant; partridge; duck