October

The commentary we often see and hear from Wild Justice and others who are not fans of game shooting could lead many people to the conclusion that gamebird management is harmful to the environment.

We have translocated a further twenty black grouse to the North York Moors to bolster the twenty birds released last October.

Upon joining the GWCT, we’d hoped for lots of opportunities to develop fieldwork skills, and we certainly haven’t been disappointed.

In response to increased findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (commonly known as bird flu) in wild birds and new cases in poultry and kept birds, coupled with heightened risk levels, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with housing measures is being introduced for north, central and parts of east of England to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.

Red and black spotted, round and shiny ladybirds are arguably one of the few beetles everyone can recognise. 

“The United Kingdom does not have indigenous peoples, or indigenous and local communities as understood under the Convention on Biological Diversity”.  Not sure what the Welsh or Scots will think of that?

As a contribution to Flood Action Week, Defra and Floods Minister Emma Hardy are urging us to cultivate flood-resilient plants in our gardens, and on 17th October The Independent brings us the story; “Homeowners urged to use five key plants to make gardens flood ready”.

How often do you read that policy must be science and evidence-led, and think that must be good, leading to the right conclusion? Sadly that is not always the case. 

GWCT member Annette West was delighted to receive a 20-year-old jeroboam of Taylor’s Port after picking the winning raffle ticket at this year’s Game Fair at Ragley. 

For all shoots in England impacted by the licensing arrangements introduced by Natural England this year on European Designated Sites and their buffers, there is an opportunity to feedback to Natural England on how your shoot has been affected.