Why Grouse Moors Are a Sanctuary for Ground-Nesting Birds

Ahead of the Commons debate on the future of driven grouse shooting taking place on Monday 30th June, we’re publishing a series of blog posts that examine the vital contribution made by grouse moor management.

Across the UK, many ground-nesting bird populations are in steep decline. Species like the curlew, lapwing, and golden plover, some of which are of global conservation concern, face significant threats. Their decline is attributed to various factors, including habitat loss, changes in farming practices, and increased generalist predators. This makes areas where these birds can thrive even more crucial.

Integrated Moorland Management: A Holistic Solution

The management practices on grouse moors are specifically designed to create ideal conditions for red grouse, but they also benefit a wide array of other wildlife. This integrated approach involves several key elements:

• Heather Management: Gamekeepers use controlled, "cool" burning, cutting, and grazing to create a mosaic of different-aged heather patches. Young heather provides nutritious food, while older heather offers vital cover for nesting and protection. This patchwork habitat is crucial for red grouse and many other moorland birds. Without this active management, heather could be lost and replaced by scrub and trees, leading to a decline in open-landscape species.

• Predator Control: Legal control of generalist predators like foxes and carrion crows is a cornerstone of grouse moor management. These predators, unnaturally abundant in many upland areas, can decimate ground-nesting bird populations. By reducing predation pressure, gamekeepers help red grouse and numerous other species successfully breed and fledge young.

• Disease Control: Measures are also taken to control parasites in red grouse and livestock, contributing to overall animal health on the moors.

A Haven for Wildlife: The Numbers Speak

The success of integrated moorland management in supporting birdlife is remarkable. Studies show that moorlands managed for red grouse have significantly more numerous and successful breeding populations of upland birds compared to unmanaged areas.

• Curlew: A globally near-threatened wader, curlew numbers have increased by 10% per year on average on managed moors. One study found curlew occurred four times more frequently on grouse moors than on non-grouse moors. Astonishingly, approximately 53% of the UK’s curlew population and 42% of its lapwing population are found on English grouse moors associated with Regional Moorland Groups.

• Lapwing and Golden Plover: These species also thrive, with numbers on managed moors three to five times higher than on unmanaged moorland. Lapwing numbers on managed moors rose by an average of 16%, and snipe by 21%.

• Merlin: 80% of breeding merlin (a globally threatened species) in England were found on grouse moors, highlighting the suitable nesting environment provided by this management.

• Other Species: Black grouse, short-eared owls, buzzards, and black-headed gulls are also more abundant on managed moors. Hen harriers also benefit from predator control on grouse moors.

The contrast with unmanaged areas can be stark. For example, in the Berwyn Mountains in North Wales, where grouse moor management ceased in the 1990s, curlew, lapwing, golden plover, redshank, red grouse, and black grouse populations all declined significantly, with some species becoming locally extinct.

At Lake Vyrnwy, an RSPB reserve in Wales where controlled burning stopped in 2003, only one pair of curlews nested in 2024, and a golden plover was seen for the first time in over 40 years.

The Future of Our Uplands

The evidence strongly suggests that integrated moorland management, underpinned by driven grouse shooting, delivers a wide range of environmental, economic, and social benefits.

These landscapes are important strongholds for declining upland species and contribute to climate change mitigation. While criticisms exist, a holistic view of sustainability shows that discontinuing these practices could lead to a net loss of these proven public goods and services.

For the future of our precious uplands, it is essential that policymakers and stakeholders work collaboratively with landowners and managers, valuing their expertise and commitment to responsible land stewardship.

By focusing on evidence-based management, we can ensure these unique habitats continue to be a sanctuary for wildlife and a cornerstone of rural communities for generations to come.

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