2026

“A couple of weeks ago I was privileged to be invited to the parliamentary premiere of BASC’s new wildfowling film, Call of the Marsh. For me, the striking part about the film is the way in which it captures wildfowling as a living heritage and spiritual experience, with a wonderful explanation of the deep connection to and care for the marsh.”

Following a number of findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds and detections in poultry and increased risk levels, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has been declared covering England and Scotland to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.

Thoughts and reflections from the winners and judges of the 2026 Schöffel Countryside Awards – in partnership with the GWCT

Passionate about woodcock, Michael aims to produce Northern Irelandʼs first estimate of woodcock population size.

Today's farmers, gamekeepers, land managers and conservation professionals face the challenge of balancing productive land use with biodiversity enhancement, species conservation and ever-evolving regulatory requirements. Access to practical, science-led advice is therefore essential, and this is where the GWCT continues to play a vital role.

As a placement student in the Scottish Lowlands department, I’ve enjoyed spending the first few weeks getting stuck into some fieldwork, counting partridges.

The current approach to the Emergency Authorisation of pesticides in the UK is fundamentally weak, it is not being used as was intended and therefore needs to be strengthened.

As the leading independent, evidence-based organisation on gamebird management, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust worked hard to submit a significant body of scientific research to Defra as part of the government’s Call for Evidence on Gamebird Release, Shooting and Welfare during Rearing in England.

Summer 2026 was another record-breaker. The repeated reporting of broken climate records can give the impression that we are merely watching statistics accumulate, rather than witnessing serious consequences.

The UKHSA are inviting members of the gamebird and waterfowl communities to take part in an important citizen science study! By providing small blood samples from deceased gamebirds, waterfowl and other legal quarry, participants will help support the early detection and monitoring of emerging mosquito-borne diseases in the UK.