Support the release of juvenile gamebirds

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

This standard is aimed at those who work in game conservation on either a full- or part-time basis, and can be applied to any wildlife management area involved in the release of juvenile gamebirds.

To meet this standard you will be able to:

• establish juvenile gamebirds in release areas, following the release specification
• maintain the welfare of juvenile gamebirds during release
• support the release process to establish juvenile gamebirds in the wild
• maintain juvenile gamebirds 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 Glossary for some definitions that should help you with this.

1. carry out activities safely, in line with relevant health and safety requirements
2. follow the process for supporting the release of juvenile gamebirds so that the release specification can be achieved
3. assist with preparing release areas to optimise the survival of juvenile gamebirds during release
4. assist with preparing juvenile gamebirds for release
5. assist with transferring juvenile gamebirds safely to release areas in a way that minimises stress
6. assist with establishing juvenile gamebirds in release areas at the required density
7. handle juvenile gamebirds in a manner that maintains their welfare and minimises stress
8. provide feed and water to control the location and distribution of released juvenile gamebirds to meet the release specification
9. observe the behaviour and condition of juvenile gamebirds and report to the appropriate person any signs of stress or disorder
10. maintain pest and predator controls to limit their impact on the released juvenile gamebirds
11. take action to minimise the impact of disturbances likely to disrupt the planned release
12. maintain accurate records according to relevant legal requirements and those of the organisation that you work for

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

Prepare release areas in respect of:

• shelter
• protection

Observe behaviour in terms of:

• feeding
• movement

Achieve release specifications in terms of:

• location of gamebirds
• distribution of gamebirds

Take action in respect of the following disturbances:

• human
• pest and predator

Gamebirds – Pheasant, partridge, duck

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

Release specification – Intended location and distribution of game on a sporting estate