By Alex Keeble, Central England Game & Wildlife Advisor
Recent years have seen prolonged periods of drought and exceptionally high temperatures across much of the UK, creating significant challenges for both wild and released gamebirds. Species such as pheasants, red-legged partridges, red grouse and grey partridges are particularly vulnerable to changing weather patterns, with heat and reduced rainfall affecting habitat quality, food availability, breeding success and overall condition.
One of the most significant impacts of drought is on habitat quality. Grasslands, field margins and wild bird seed crops can become stressed during extended periods of hot, dry weather, resulting in reduced plant growth, density and vigour. Crops established to benefit game and other wildlife may struggle to germinate or establish in dry soils, with species such as kale, quinoa and millet especially vulnerable. Well-developed vegetation provides essential nesting, brood-rearing and escape cover, but drought can leave habitats sparse and fragmented. Reduced cover increases exposure to predators such as foxes, corvids and birds of prey, while limiting opportunities for shelter and foraging. These effects are not confined to gamebirds and can negatively affect farmland songbirds and many other species that rely on the same habitats.
Dry conditions also have a considerable impact on insect abundance, which is crucial for young gamebird chicks. During their first few weeks of life, pheasant, partridge and grouse chicks rely heavily on insects as a rich source of protein needed for rapid growth and feather development. Prolonged drought can reduce both insect numbers and activity, leaving chicks with fewer feeding opportunities at a critical stage of development. As a result, growth rates may decline, chick survival can be reduced, and birds become more vulnerable to disease and predation. Wild grey partridges are particularly susceptible because their breeding success is closely linked to the availability of insect-rich brood-rearing habitat.
Red grouse are also affected by drought, although the impacts can vary. Like other gamebirds, grouse chicks depend on invertebrates during their first weeks of life and may suffer when hot, dry conditions reduce food availability. However, grouse broods can travel considerable distances to access wetter feeding areas, and warm, dry spring/summers may improve breeding success by reducing chick mortality associated with cold and wet weather.
Well-managed farmland can help buffer many of these impacts. The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) promotes the creation of diverse habitat mosaics incorporating a mixture of perennial and annual conservation habitats. Features such as flower-rich plots, pollen and nectar mixes, beetle banks, tussocky grass areas and field margins can support greater insect abundance than intensively managed crops, even during dry conditions. By maintaining a variety of habitats across the landscape, land managers can increase ecological resilience and provide alternative food resources for gamebird chicks when environmental conditions become challenging.
High temperatures can also directly affect the health and welfare of released gamebirds. Pheasants and partridges are susceptible to heat stress, particularly during prolonged periods of above-average temperatures. Birds experiencing heat stress often reduce feeding activity, spend more time seeking shade and water, and become generally less active. Young poults are especially vulnerable, with reduced feed intake potentially affecting growth, body condition and overall performance later in the season.
Water availability becomes increasingly important during drought. Natural sources such as ponds, ditches and streams may dry up or experience reduced flows, limiting access for gamebirds and other wildlife. Birds may be forced to travel greater distances in search of water, increasing both energy expenditure and exposure to predation. On managed shoots, maintaining drinkers and providing a dependable supply of clean water becomes essential.
Despite these challenges, land managers and gamekeepers can take a range of practical measures to improve resilience. Providing reliable water supplies, maintaining shaded areas around release pens, establishing drought-tolerant cover crops and enhancing habitat diversity can all help mitigate the effects of extreme weather. Well-managed hedgerows, woodland edges and field margins provide shelter, support insect populations and help retain moisture within the wider landscape.
Climate projections suggest that periods of extreme heat and drought are likely to become more frequent across the UK. As a result, adapting management practices will become increasingly important for both gamebird conservation and sustainable shooting. By improving habitat quality, ensuring access to water and creating resilient, diverse landscapes, land managers can help gamebird populations better withstand the challenges posed by a changing climate while simultaneously delivering wider biodiversity benefits throughout the countryside.