GWCT News Blog

With the start of the muirburn season (1st October – 15th April) now upon us, many upland farms and estates across Scotland will be watching the weather forecast with a close eye and view to burning.

A pioneering trial set up to help rebuild the population of the endangered Hen Harrier in England has reared and released 13 chicks this year.

Red grouse management and shooting can contribute significantly to rural economies whilst delivering a plethora of wider biodiversity and environmental benefits. 

Henrietta Appleton discusses the findings from ‘Sustaining Ecosystems: English Grouse Moors’, our audit of the contribution of grouse moor management to society’s wants and needs, as expressed by goals in the Government’s 25 year Environment Plan (25YEP).

The few who perpetrate wildlife crime overshadow the many grouse moor managers who work tirelessly to create habitat where birds of prey can thrive. 

Rod Liddle lets a story get in the way of the facts when writing about grouse moors. Rather than being a “desolate moonscape”, they are the last refuge of some of our most endangered wildlife.

As a new study on mountain hares hit the news, we thank GWCT member Matthew Higgs for writing to the Telegraph to share our findings

Policy makers must broaden their view of upland management.

Natural England have reported another increase in the number of breeding Hen Harriers in England, with 31 breeding attempts, 24 of which were successful, fledging 84 chicks.

The recent debate on driven grouse shooting revealed two very different attitudes to management. Those opposed to banning grouse shooting regard the management of grouse moors as a constructive action supporting biodiversity and other public goods and services; those supporting a ban see management as artificial and destructive. So who is right?