GWCT News Blog

Proposals for shooting over Natural Resources Wales (NRW) land have now been published. The GWCT believes their conclusions are well considered and should be adopted

The GWCT suggested that a technique like this might unlock the conflict between hen harriers and driven grouse shooting nearly twenty years ago – we still believe it could. On the other hand the RSPB feel it is ‘ridiculous’ – but the Government has rejected this view and they are going to test it here. It is easy to see why

When Defra released their plan to recover hen harriers in 2016, it had two success criteria: more hen harriers in England and that “the harrier population coexists with local business interests and its presence contributes to a thriving rural economy”.

Another fall in the number of reported incidents of wildlife crime is welcomed by the GWCT. All those involved in reducing wildlife crime should be congratulated on achieving this downward trend.

We respond to a recent letter to The Times written by the RSPB.

As Chris Packham climbed up on the Ifor Williams flatbed trailer the sky dramatically darkened. The stage, at the RSPB’s Rainham Marsh reserve in Kent, was set for another fire and brimstone Hen Harrier day ‘address’.

Our letter to The Yorkshire Post in response to Chris Packham's call for grouse shooting to end on Ilkley Moor.

Last year, a group of scientists from the RSPB published a “viewpoint” paper highlighting their concerns over the possible environmental impacts of driven grouse shooting. However, in shaping their argument, they neglected to include key pieces of scientific evidence that happen not to support their views.

The GWCT says the results of the national Hen Harrier survey indicates that balance in moorland conservation and management in the UK is needed more than ever.

News of a new study into whether people experience any tangible physical and mental benefits by participating in driven game shooting.