GWCT News Blog

The Daily Telegraph recently reported that the RSPB is seeking contractors to undertake predation management as part of their efforts to protect curlews in Northern Ireland.

“Natural England will be making recommendations based on the science” was the verdict of Environment Minister Trudy Harrison as she closed the petitions committee debate on woodcock yesterday (Monday 27 February). 

This Monday (9 January), the Petitions Committee debated a recent e-petition calling for a ban on the use of snares. Nick Fletcher, who brought the petition, gave a detailed account of how a humane cable restraint, pioneered by the GWCT, differs from a traditional snare.

As our recent blogs have suggested there is a role for rewilding within our landscape – in some areas this could include a withdrawal from commercial farming activities – and, given we are largely a society of private landownership, we respect everyone’s right to manage their land as they wish.

sudden and marked increase in the numbers of wildlife incidents that involve the powerful
rodenticide brodifacoum has been identified by the government-run Wildlife Incident Investigation
Scheme (WIIS). Some involve either negligent misuse or intentional abuse to harm wildlife.

The plight of waders breeding in the UK is well known. All of our familiar species are in serious decline and we hear frequent warnings about local extinctions for some of them. Well known causes of decline are a loss of quality habitat due to changes in land use and intensified agricultural practices, and we are seeing increased losses of wader nests to a variety of predators.

Environmental organisations are calling for more land designations in their first annual progress report on the Government’s commitment to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. However, designations in themselves will not achieve what they seek - the restoration of biodiversity. 

We’re encouraged to read that government believes “boosting food production and strengthening resilience and sustainability come alongside, not instead of, protecting and enhancing our natural environment”.

Recent isolated cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in released pheasants highlights the importance of good biosecurity and vigilance amongst all those involved in game management.