March

It’s hard to believe how quickly the last six months have passed. The placement has flown by in a busy whirl of tubing samples, identification, data entry and analysis, and the occasional bits of fieldwork. Since September, much of our time has been concentrated in the lab, learning key invertebrate identification skills whilst working through samples collected during last summer.

It’s World Sparrow Day! So many staff across our field teams, advisors and scientists are dedicated to understanding and supporting farmland bird communities, sparrows included!

The government has used the publication of the latest iteration of the Land Use Framework report to announce it is exploring “wider measures such as licensing and any associated conditions for recreational gamebird shooting and release”.

Following Deputy First Minister & Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca‑Davies MS’ announcement of an independent review of the impacts of released gamebird management, the GWCT welcomes Welsh Government’s commitment to consider both scientific and practitioner evidence.

GWCT Scotland is inviting supporters and interested members of the public to join them for guided walks over a select number of Scottish grouse moors in April 2026. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy privileged access to some of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes, learn about upland land management from practitioners and landowners, and witness the breathtaking biodiversity found on managed moorland.

Natural England has announced there will be further restrictions on gamebird releases on several Special Protection Areas (SPAs) this year, following its latest Habitat Regulation Assessments (HRAs) for the sites. 

Bringing together 15 partner organisations (including the GWCT), coordinated by the Ecological Continuity Trust in close association with the British Ecological Society and supported by a private charitable trust, the partnership aims to connect these efforts, strengthen collaboration, and provide the overarching support needed to deliver meaningful, joined‑up change.

As my second full winter at the Allerton Project comes to a close, I thought I would share my thoughts around hedges, their importance and the management approach we have taken to improve these habitats.

Until recently Oil Seed Rape (OSR) was not grown on the farm due to Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle (CSFB). I brought it back because we needed a crop we can harvest early in July to get on top of workloads. 

GWCT Scotland hosted another series of Pie & Pint evenings across Scotland in the second half of February 2026. This year’s series focused on Scotland’s lowlands.