wolfbirder
Well-known member
Found this as part of a report on increased raptor persecution, but thought the latter bit was interesting too. The usual persecution and killing of Peregrines, Buzzards, and in Scotland eagles too etc. The drought apparently reduces the quality of heather, and the effect of heather-beetle. Of course, if there are low numbers of grouse that is also bad for wildlife.
Hard times for grouse shoots
For many, the Glorious 12th will not be so glorious, as some estates have called off the season because of low grouse numbers. The Bolton Abbey estate in Wharfedale, North Yorkshire, is one not running any grouse shoots this season.
Ben Heyes, estate director, put the low number of birds down to a combination of factors, including the drought in recent years and poor-quality heather caused by the heather beetle, which feeds on the leaves of the plants, stripping them bare.
Other areas will also see fewer grouse shoots, although Ramsey Smith from the Moorland Association said some estates would simply start the season later.
“It is going to be an unexciting year, unfortunately,” said Heyes. “And it is a blow on top of everything else this year, because it generates a lot of income for rural communities and provides employment.”
The Swinton estate in Yorkshire, however, is going ahead with the season, having taken extra Covid-related precautions. Gamekeepers will wear visors and masks, and beaters will practise socially distanced lines.
Gary Taylor, head keeper at the estate, said: “It’s vitally important for rural communities in some of our most remote areas that the economy opens up as quickly as it can, but we can only do that successfully if all the right safety measures are in place. It does feel a bit unreal, but all businesses, whether they are in towns or the countryside, have had to adapt.
“If we can get going again safely, it can only be good for the local communities.”
Hard times for grouse shoots
For many, the Glorious 12th will not be so glorious, as some estates have called off the season because of low grouse numbers. The Bolton Abbey estate in Wharfedale, North Yorkshire, is one not running any grouse shoots this season.
Ben Heyes, estate director, put the low number of birds down to a combination of factors, including the drought in recent years and poor-quality heather caused by the heather beetle, which feeds on the leaves of the plants, stripping them bare.
Other areas will also see fewer grouse shoots, although Ramsey Smith from the Moorland Association said some estates would simply start the season later.
“It is going to be an unexciting year, unfortunately,” said Heyes. “And it is a blow on top of everything else this year, because it generates a lot of income for rural communities and provides employment.”
The Swinton estate in Yorkshire, however, is going ahead with the season, having taken extra Covid-related precautions. Gamekeepers will wear visors and masks, and beaters will practise socially distanced lines.
Gary Taylor, head keeper at the estate, said: “It’s vitally important for rural communities in some of our most remote areas that the economy opens up as quickly as it can, but we can only do that successfully if all the right safety measures are in place. It does feel a bit unreal, but all businesses, whether they are in towns or the countryside, have had to adapt.
“If we can get going again safely, it can only be good for the local communities.”