GWCT News Blog

As controlled winter burning has been shown to benefit rare ground-nesting birds such as curlew and golden plover, it is bizarre to see the National Trust use the latest fire on Saddleworth Moor to argue against it.

There are many manufacturers that produce barn owl nest boxes to purchase, but if materials and tools are available, then boxes can also be made by hand.

As Environment Minister Rebecca Pow announces plans to consider the phasing out of lead shot, studies by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) suggest that many shooters are already embracing change.

There is no evidence to substantiate the claim that “hundreds of thousands” of hares are killed during their breeding season each year.

In less than a month, nearly 2000 of you have completed our short one-minute survey on your use of the alternatives to lead ammunition. Looking through your responses, some key themes emerge.

Over recent decades, availability of suitable barn owl nesting cavities has reduced primarily due to loss of large trees with hollows, and modernisation and enclosure of farm buildings. Providing nest boxes within or near to suitable habitat can help to increase breeding success and support local barn owl populations.

Check out the latest news from our GWCT Shoots.

Our Working For Wildlife initiative has shown just how important farmers can be to wildlife recovery.