1st November 2021
Students from the University of Hull spent a day on Spaunton Moor in the North York Moors this week studying upland conservation. Dr Alastair Ward, Head of the Department of Biological and Marine Sciences at the University of Hull, organised the visit to provide an opportunity for the students to gain a better understanding of […]
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 […]
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.
HEN HARRIER SURVIVAL RATE NEARLY DOUBLE IN RECOVERY SCHEME Survival rates for hen harriers reared and released through an innovative scheme to help the recovery of the species are better than for wild birds, it has been reported, as the trial enters its final year. Data from satellite-tagged hen harriers given a boost in the Brood Management Scheme trial shows the […]
Management of game assurance scheme transferring from BGA to Aim to Sustain The infrastructure of the assurance scheme built by British Game Assurance (BGA) will be transferred to Aim to Sustain, it was announced today (Monday 16 October). The transfer should be completed later in the Autumn and in the meantime, the scheme remains unchanged and open to new members. Following completion, Aim to Sustain will take […]
