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Research Paper Summaries
Read summaries of scientific research papers on a variety of moorland topics.


The Silent Skies: What Happens When Predator Control Stops in the UK Uplands?
A crucial study reveals the sobering reality of what happens to ground-nesting bird populations when predators are not controlled.

Rob Beeson
May 87 min read


Heather Loss, Sheep Grazing & Grouse: What 70 Years on Langholm Moor Tells Us
Over the past century, parts of the British uplands have seen a steep decline in heather moorland - a globally rare habitat important for wildlife, rural heritage, and field sports.

Rob Beeson
May 71 min read


Well-managed Burning Can Reduce Wildfire Risk
This study from Scotland looked closely at how prescribed burning - known as muirburn - relates to wildfires across the country.

Rob Beeson
May 21 min read


Predator Numbers and Ground-Nesting Bird Declines
A recent study revisited a predator control experiment in North Northumberland that had taken place in the early 2000s. It looked at what happened to ground-nesting birds when legal predator control stopped - and the results are sobering.

Rob Beeson
May 21 min read


How Predator Control Trebles Moorland Bird Breeding Success
This blog post examines an 8-year field experiment conducted on moorland in northern England.

Rob Beeson
Apr 299 min read


Berwyn's Birds: The Impact After Driven Grouse Shooting Ended
The Berwyn is constantly changing. A detailed study, spanning several decades, looked at these changes.

Rob Beeson
Apr 46 min read


Report Reveals Key Factors Behind Hen Harrier Recovery
A recently commissioned report by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) for Natural England looked into this puzzle.

Rob Beeson
Mar 195 min read
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