Rural Payments and Services

The aim of this item is to benefit chough by providing suitable nest sites through construction of a shelter.

Chough traditionally nest in caves or abandoned farm buildings. These can become too derelict for the chough to use, or lost altogether due to redundant buildings being converted to housing.

Any grassland, including rough grassland, close to existing or recently used chough nest sites is eligible.

You must combine this item with at least one of the following management options:

• Chough Mown Grassland
• Chough Grazing Management

You must identify the location of the proposed chough nest shelter on a 1:10,000 map.

• you must obtain planning permission, or have confirmation that planning permission is not required, for your proposed nest shelter
• you must construct the shelter in accordance with published guidance
• the shelter must be secured or anchored to the ground
• the nest shelter must include at least one nesting platform inside of approximately one square metre, located in either gable end, or on the centre of the back wall. The location of the platform must be agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage
• you must not use the nest shelter for storage or livestock housing
• you must maintain a diary

You can claim £4,518 per shelter.

The inspectors will check:

• the location of the work
• you have constructed the shelter in accordance with published guidance
• the shelter is secured or anchored to the ground
• the nest shelter includes at least one nesting platform inside of approximately one square metre, located in either gable end, or on the centre of the back wall. The location of the platform must be agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage
• you are not using the nest shelter for storage or livestock housing
• you have maintained a diary

Supporting guidance is available for this item.

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