Blogs

With the shooting season now over, the first signs of breeding are already upon us. So, those who hope for a significant contribution from wild bred game should be making a start on the spring predation control programme.

Earlier today (3 February), in a House of Lords debate on bird control licences, the discussion turned quickly to game management.

It is concerning to see the rise in wheat prices hitting shoots in the pocket, but it is important that we don’t let it impact farmland birds.

"I’d like to think that most game managers are conservationists at heart, and I’m certainly only doing my advisory service job after 40 years with the GWCT because I believe in the conservation spin off from the help that I give"

Farmer clusters in the Avon Valley and encircling Martin Down have put farmers at the heart of conservation and the results are there for all to see.

Which of our various quarry birds is the most intelligent do you think? I’m not at all sure anyone really knows the answer, or indeed how it is that you assess this.

I have seen the scenario many times, a lovely little bubbling brook, with a nice head of small trout, but nothing much over a few ounces in weight. The immediate response for someone who wants to improve the fishing potential is to suggest stocking with some bigger fish.

Director of Advisory & Education Dr Roger Draycott made a guest appearance on the Natural History Museum’s ‘Wild Crime’ podcast this week.

This week, data from the Census cropped up on Radio 4’s popular panel show The Unbelievable Truth to corroborate a claim made by British ‘specialist’ retailer Ann Summers.