H Griffiths, of Pickering, (Gazette & Herald, April 15) displays some common misunderstandings.

The North York Moors is designated Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive, which is the highest conservation designation for birds in the UK. This is because there is a high proportion of ground-nesting birds, in particular, the golden plover and our smallest raptor, the merlin.

Despite being threatened nationally, lapwing, curlew and ring ouzel are also well loved species that do very well on the North York Moors because of the management for the red grouse. Localised, seasonal and targeted control of species which predate the eggs and chicks and reduce the breeding success of our moorland birds is carried out by gamekeepers employed to manage the precious heather habitat for red grouse.

Research shows this raises the chance of wader chicks fledging by three times compared to when predator control is not carried out. Similarly, merlin breeding records in England are four times as great on keepered moorland.

The North York Moors National Park Authority survey last year showed that the number of golden plover on the North York Moors was at its highest level for 18 years, with no further decline in breeding lapwing and populations of curlew were holding steady, bucking the national declining trends.

The National Park Authority praised the good work carried out by the landowners and gamekeepers to maintain the conditions that benefit these birds.

So, I applaud the wildlife crime officer and other responsible authorities for explaining to the public the need for and the benefits of legal traps and their targeted use and encouraging the public not to interfere with them.

George Winn-Darley, Moorland Association representative for the North York Moors