GWCT News Blog

As a research-led organisation with expertise in gamebird management and biodiversity monitoring, the GWCT has previously reviewed the evidence relating to the relationship between pheasant releasing and reptile numbers alongside our wider work on the potential impacts of gamebird releasing on the environment. 

The RSPB’s position (‘Calls to ban gamebird release to avoid ‘catastrophic’ avian flu outbreak’, 10.02.2022) is not based on scientific evidence and the tone of Jeff Knott’s comments is alarmist. 

GWCT chief executive Teresa Dent CBE wrote a letter to Greenpeace’s interim UK Executive Director offering to meet to present scientific evidence in response a to petition calling for a total ban on controlled burning.

Mark Glover’s view that gamebird releasing causes environmental carnage, “Slaughter of UK’s imported gamebirds carries a heavy price, 22 July”, is not supported by the scientific evidence.

It is indeed sad that the iconic purring call of the turtle dove in summer is now a rarity, but the efforts of a group of farmers and land managers in southern England is giving real cause for hope.

As part of the project group established to increase recording of mountain hare presence right across Scotland, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is dismayed that following the first year of this expanded survey capacity, the National newspaper has hailed this as marking an increase in mountain hare numbers following protection.

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.

Read our letter to the Secretary of State regarding the shooting of woodcock, written in response to the letter sent by Wild Justice.