5th October 2020
Grouse moor owners in the north of England have welcomed a special ‘lock down’ visitor – a golden eagle named Beaky that travelled from the south of Scotland. There have not been any breeding pairs in the wild in England for some years. The enormous bird, which can have a wing span of seven and […]
1st October 2020
Following publication of two reports from RSPB today (Oct 1), the Moorland Association, which represents moor owners and operators in England, issued the following statement. Amanda Anderson, Director of the Moorland Association, said: “The figures in relation to bird crime are a decrease on the figures issued last by the RSPB last year, when it […]
17th September 2020
Grouse moor owners today described a new report highlighting breeding success of raptors on moorland in the Peak District as ‘hugely encouraging’. In its 2020 Interim Report, the Peak District Bird of Prey Initiative (BOPI) announced encouraging breeding successes for several raptor species in the moorland areas of the Peak District, thanks to collaboration between […]
15th September 2020
The government announced exemptions to the rule of six for England which cover shooting (14th September) and other country sports. Any outdoor physical activity which requires a licence issued by a public body for the activity itself, or for equipment used during the activity, will be exempt from the gathering limits. For shooting, this means that […]
3rd September 2020
Natural England has recorded the best year for hen harrier breeding in England since Natural England’s hen harrier recovery project was established in 2002, with 60 chicks fledged from 19 nests across Northumberland, Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria and Lancashire in early summer 2020. The success has been down to a number of factors including high numbers […]
24th August 2020
As Defra prepares to announce England’s largest ever peatland restoration scheme as part of its Nature for Climate Fund, new research commissioned by Natural England from Newcastle University suggests the planned grant scheme needs to ensure that farmers and land managers have the right level of funding and greater control than previous schemes in order […]
20th August 2020
During April and May, 183 gamekeepers, shepherds and shoot managers reported witnessing incidents of gull predation on nests and chicks of three wader species, two of which (lapwing and curlew) are ‘red-listed’ as species of the highest conservation concern. In part, it is the abundance of these precious birds that has led to areas of […]
12th August 2020
The traditional grouse shooting season got underway today despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. A widespread safety initiative, including the use of personal protection equipment, social distancing measures and food hygiene measures, has been implemented to ensure adherence to government COVID-19 guidelines. Plans have been put in place to ensure that restaurants will […]
11th August 2020
On the eve of the traditional grouse shooting season, rural communities have been gearing up to make the best of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans have been put in place to ensure that restaurants receive the first grouse from the moors tomorrow. A widespread safety initiative, including the use of personal protection […]
10th August 2020
University of Northampton researchers conduct wide-ranging survey into economic and social effects of the sport on moorland communities Professor Simon Denny and Tracey Latham-Green of the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact at the University of Northampton have conducted a new study into the economic and social effects of integrated moorland management – including grouse […]
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.
TRUE THREAT OF WILDFIRE RISK IN CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITTEE REPORT HIGHLIGHTED BY MOORLAND ASSOCIATION The Moorland Association today is encouraged by the Climate Change Committee’s latest adaptation report that highlights for the first time the real threat to life and ecosystems of wildfire in our changed climate. The independent committee also identifies the most effective approach to mitigate the risk. 2022 was a record year for large wildfires in […]
PEAK DISTRICT FARMERS JOIN FORCES FOR CONSERVATION A group of hill farmers has created a pioneering environmental cooperative to protect against the effects of climate change and boost wildlife, alongside sustainable livestock production. Peakland Environmental Farmers (PEF) has 55 farmers on board, covering over 28,000 hectares of upland in the Peak District National Park. The innovative collective will enable farmers and landowners […]
