29th July 2015
AS one of the biggest celebrations of field sports in Britain gets underway attention is focussed on controversy in the uplands.
Joining the CLA Game Fair at Harewood House, near Leeds, members of The Moorland Association (MA) – who are responsible for some of England’s rarest and most protected high ground – are reporting notable gains.
They say it is an exciting time with effective upland partnerships working together. This has meant a fresh look at how a raft of benefits can be reaped from the fragile landscapes loved by millions.
MA director, Amanda Anderson, said while some were seeking to create conflict in the uplands by highlighting potential problems, others were dedicated to solving them and improving the beautiful land for all.
She explained: “This is a very positive time marked by co-operation, cohesion and pioneering initiatives, benefiting not just the moors but wildlife and rural economies into the bargain.
“Government targets for setting these vulnerable areas on the road to recovery have been exceeded, the Uplands Alliance launched – bringing together all interested parties – and moorland management hailed for far-reaching peatland restoration action.”
Mrs Anderson said £52.5 million was invested annually by owners on moorland conservation and protection and warned of the dangers of putting grouse shooting at risk.
She added: “In the late 1990s, driven grouse shooting and habitat management stopped in the Berwyn Special Protection Area in North Wales which then saw serious declines in bird species. It’s a stark warning!
“Despite its conservation designations, lapwings became extinct, golden plover declined by 90 percent, curlew by 79 percent, black grouse by 78 percent and ring ouzel by 80 percent.
“The number of hen harriers, whose decline has frequently been blamed on moorland gamekeepers, fell by 49 percent after the management for red grouse was abandoned and gamekeepers lost.Publications
“The message is simple, lose moorland keepers and expect lose-lose for conservation, livelihoods and visitors.
“Natural Resources Wales has since recognised the importance of managing vegetation and predator control and ploughed £240,000 into upland estates to replace the work of gamekeepers.
“This is a tiny, short-lived shot in the arm with tax payer’s money, and is not a long-term sustainable solution.”
MA members manage one million acres of England’s internationally protected high land for grouse shooting – £9 out of every £10 is privately invested. They have seen substantial gains in Britain’s most vulnerable upland bird species such as black grouse, merlin, curlew and lapwing.
Working closely with Natural England and partners, 400,000 acres of deep peat are being improved by blocking thousands of kilometres of ill-advised drainage ditches, put in with government grants in post-war years.
This work, coupled with re-vegetating bare peat, will help combat the effects of climate change.
Mrs Anderson said: “We can and are doing more. Pioneering projects to reintroduce the king of bog plants, Sphagnum moss, will improve carbon lock-up and boost water quality for millions of people. Around 70 percent of the country’s drinking water comes from the uplands.”
Members have also played an important role in this year’s hen harrier breeding successes and want to use tried and tested conservation techniques to reintroduce them across their former range.
“The Moorland Association is a progressive, collaborative and modern-day partner willing to work with all those who seek win-win scenarios,” concluded Mrs Anderson.
