12th October 2021
The Moorland Association, which represents grouse moor owners in England, issued the following statement today in the wake of reports alleging that government legislation which restricts heather burning on deep peat may be being breached. Amanda Anderson, Director of the Moorland Association, said: “The claims that are being made today about alleged breaches of government legislation […]
14th September 2021
New data published by the Moorland Association shows a flourishing raptor population on grouse moors in the North York Moors for the third year running. Spaunton Estate saw a total of 1,552 raptors in its annual counts, double the number recorded in 2018. The most populous species of raptor is Buzzards – 726 sightings were […]
1st September 2021
Gamekeepers in Nidderdale are celebrating the successful fledging of three barn owls after the sad loss of two chicks last year. In 2020 in the same barn three owlets hatched but two of the three fell to their death from a ledge several metres up. To improve the beautiful and protected birds’ chances this year, […]
16th August 2021
MasterChef finalist Juanita Hennessey took to the moors today to prove that red grouse is one of the UK’s most sustainable foods. As the grouse season officially gets under way, Juanita showed that the number of grouse produced per acre is a tiny faction compared with other foods. Only one or two grouse is […]
12th August 2021
The start of the grouse shooting season got under way today in the wake of new research that underlines the social, economic and environmental importance of moorland management. This year’s season is expected to be particularly important to rural areas as they recover from the impact of lockdown. Research published earlier this week by the […]
11th August 2021
The number of merlin chicks fledging on the North York Moors has reached 56, demonstrating a good recovery after a poor season in 2020. A new survey carried out by grouse moor keepers covering the majority of the North York Moors National Park moorland area has revealed 56 young merlin on the wing, suggesting a […]
7th August 2021
The Daily Telegraph reports on a forthcoming academic study on sustainability and grouse shooting Grouse shooting gives glorious boost to rural economies and the environment, says study Sport supports tourism, employment and biodiversity, experts argue. Plus, Prof James Crabbe on why Glorious 12th is vital for conservation By Hayley Dixon, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT There are 8.38 million […]
5th August 2021
The prospect of another record-breaking year for Hen Harrier breeding rose today after reports of successful nests from several parts of the country. Land managers have reported 24 successful nests on moorland in Northumberland, North Yorkshire, County Durham, Cumbria, Derbyshire and Lancashire. Of the 24 successful nests, 19 are on moors managed for red grouse. […]
23rd July 2021
Leading UK rural organisations have today (23rd July) announced the launch of a formal partnership to promote the multitude of conservation and community benefits that make the countryside a better place for all to enjoy. ‘Aim To Sustain’ has been formed to highlight the crucial role that sustainable game shooting plays in delivering biodiversity net gain […]
14th July 2021
The strategy of grouse moor managers to avoid planting trees on peatland has been supported by new official guidance that acknowledges trees can damage peatlands. A framework for establishing new woodland issued by the Forestry Commission, Forest Research and Natural England reaffirms the importance of healthy peatlands to aid carbon capture. The guidance advises that […]
75% of Europe’s remaining upland heather moorland is found in the UK – but this area declined alarmingly over the latter part of the last century. The Moorland Association was set up in 1986 to coordinate the efforts of moorland owners and managers to halt this loss, particularly in England and Wales.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II The Moorland Association and its members, who care for nearly a million acres of cherished heather moorland are, like the rest of the country, observing the period of national mourning as we reflect on the life of Queen Elizabeth ll. Her Majesty’s unparalleled devotion to duty, warmth and selfless service to the nation have been […]
GAMEKEEPERS WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BIRD EXPERTS FOR MERLIN CONSERVATION The Moorland Association is highlighting game keepers’ year-round conservation efforts for a wide variety of moorland species. Now the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation has created a new video showing how experts from the British Trust for Ornithology, Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve in North Yorkshire and gamekeepers work together to monitor merlin on managed grouse […]
