The End of an Era

RESEARCH | CONSERVATION | POLICY | BIODIVERSITY | EDUCATION

GamewiseResearch-led conservation for a thriving countryside Spring 2020

Uniting for salmon Waders bounce The Missing Salmon Alliance back in the Avon Valley Waders for Real sees wader populations make a comeback

COUNTYWISE A round-up of the fantastic county group events taking place The end of around the country an era Looking back at the research on red grouse management and raptor conservation on Langholm Moor

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WELCOME TERESA DENT |

y the time this issue of Gamewise reaches Welcome you it will be spring 2020, and let us Bhope that by then we will have seen the end of the wet weather that has flooded the water meadows outside my office window and made the autumn drilling of crops at our farm, the Allerton Project, impossible. Weather has become global news, with climate change moving tsunami-like up the agenda (see page 18). In January last year, the The wet weather over the winter has flooded water meadows NFU pledged that British farming will be carbon and made autumn drilling of crops impossible. neutral by 2040; in January this year the National Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Trust promised it by 2030. Within the space formed a Farmer Cluster and by working together Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1EF of three days last April, Scottish, Welsh and have reversed the decline of lapwing in the lower Tel: 01425 652381 Fax: 01425 655848 Email: [email protected] Reg: Charity No: 1112023 Westminster parliaments all declared a climate Avon Valley (see page 26). Other groups want to Reg: Company No. 05579632 Vat No. 665 2959 92 emergency. During the recent Westminster form to tackle water quality or to consider going Patron HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT OM GBE President The Marquess of Salisbury PC, DL election, promises to plant trees emerged faster insecticide-free and I have not met a farmer who Chairman Sir Jim Paice, PC, DL, FRAgS than beech leaves on a hot spring day. does not want to improve soil quality. Chief Executive Teresa Dent CBE FRAgS So how should the people we work with Future farmland support will be for the delivery Director of Fundraising Jeremy Payne MInstF Director of Communications, (farmers, gamekeepers, conservationists and of public goods and services; farmers, gamekeepers Marketing & Membership Andrew Gilruth other land managers) respond to and land managers have a lot to Director of Policy & Public Affairs Alastair Leake PhD, FRAgS an agenda that appears to have “I have not met offer and should be considering Director of Research changed dramatically in less than what their ‘offer’ is. The GWCT’s Professor Nick Sotherton PhD a farmer who does Deputy Director of Research a single growing season? Keep 2020 Big Farmland Bird Count Nicholas Aebischer Lic ès Sc Math, PhD, DSc calm and carry on? Yes, if you not want to improve (supported by the NFU) was a huge Director (Scotland) Bruce Russell Director (Wales) Sue Evans are already doing a good job. See soil quality success with participants eager to Chief Finance Officer Nick Sheeran it as an opportunity? Definitely. ” record the birdlife on their land. Contact us Embrace the change? Yes, because We must remember that these birds, in addition to Advisory - Lizzie Herring T: 01425 651013 E: [email protected] all the people we work with should be part of the food that feeds our nation, form an important Accounts - Hilary Clewer the solution. part of what Britain’s farmland has to offer. T: 01425 651017 E: [email protected] Marketing - James Swyer We know game management, done well, 2020 will not be any less challenging than T: 01425 651021 E: [email protected] delivers net biodiversity gain – in the uplands 2019; game and wildlife management continues Membership/donations - Heather Acors T: 01425 651024/651016 and the lowlands, across all shooting types. We to be under pressure from many directions but E: [email protected] believe this should be the test for all shoots, thinking about what good game and wildlife PR and media - James Swyer T: 01425 651000 E: [email protected] and we would be delighted to help you find out management can deliver in environmental terms Research - Lynn Field if your shoot is up to scratch – see our shoot is a good place to start. T: 01425 651025 E: [email protected] Shop - Beverley Mansbridge biodiversity assessments www.gwct.org.uk/ T: 01425 651016 E: [email protected] shootbiodiversity or page 55. Grouse moor

Other offices managers are custodians of some of the biggest The Allerton Project carbon stores in the UK, in the peat under their T: 01572 717220 E: [email protected] London/Fundraising feet. The farmers outside my window have CHIEF EXECUTIVE T: 020 7290 0110 E: [email protected] Scotland T: 01738 551511 E: [email protected] Salmon & Trout Research Centre 7 T: 01929 401893 E: [email protected] THINGS 4 Uplands YOU’LL LEARN T: 01833 651936 E: [email protected] INSIDE How to improve Wales habitat for butter- T: 01588 660796 E: [email protected] ﬂ ies and moths

Editing, Design and Layout 1 5 Louise Shervington/James Swyer 01425 651021 E: [email protected] How many letters How to count Advertising, Production were published in grouse and work Mark Brown, Fellows Media Ltd, the media in 2019 out the density The Gallery, Manor Farm, Southam, Cheltenham, Glos GL52 3PB. Tel: 01242 259249 2 6 Email: [email protected] The increase in Why you should ISSN 1757-7357 Printed on chlorine-free paper from redshank numbers consider moving sustainable forests in the Avon Valley away from lead shot

3 7 Why we are using How to create drones at the the ultimate wild Allerton Project ﬂ ower margin

www.gwct.org.uk GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 3 Running your estate is like managing a complicated business. It can involve large numbers of people, complex family arrangements and demands. There’s also the added responsibility of preserving your estate for future generations. You need an adviser who is committed to your relationship for the long term.

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The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and investors may not receive back the original amount invested. © Smith & Williamson Holdings Limited 2020. Smith & Williamson Investment Management LLP authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Smith & Williamson LLP regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. A member of Nexia International. Smith & Williamson Financial Services Limited authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate all of the products and services referred to in this document, including Tax, Assurance and Business Services. CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE | 57 Wildflower Contents margin Spring 2020

21 Langholm Moor - the end of an era

Regulars 58 SPECIES SPOTLIGHT 3 WELCOME 26 How to help yellowhammers and barn owls Teresa Dent looks at how the weather 59 TRAINING has become global news GAME 2020, loss of Fenn trap, courses 7 HAVE YOUR SAY Letters and GWCT in the press Conservation Features 31 REGIONAL EVENTS COVER STORY 15 OUR CONSERVATION PARTNERS Countywise: events around the UK Rod Greenwood from Sparsholt College 44 OUR WORK IN SCOTLAND 17 THE ALLERTON PROJECT Denis Critchley-Salmonson, research, news, News, research, policy, rising to the climate Grand Grouse Draw, education challenge and cover crop corner 47 OUR WORK IN WALES 21 LANGHOLM MOOR COVER STORY General Licence debacle, policy, events The conflict between red grouse 48 REVIEWS management and raptor conservation COVER STORY Books, Manor & Co News 24 UNITING FOR SALMON 60 MEMBERSHIP 8 IN FOCUS The Missing Salmon Alliance Syndicate offer, survey, legacies, roadshows Farmers and gamekeepers show they count 26 WADERS BOUNCE BACK IN COVER STORY 62 COOKERY - COUNTRYSIDE FORAGING 9 A BIG STEP FORWARD THE AVON VALLEY Mike Short shares his recipe for Our response to the Agriculture Bill Waders for Real success devilled kidneys 10 SHOW YOUR LOVE OF LAPWING 49 GREENING WELSH GRASSLAND 66 THE FINAL WORD New lapwing badge and tie Ant Griffith believes a new approach to Adam Steed is passionate that we all need to 11 VARIETY FOR WILD BEES agri-environment schemes is needed play a part in wildlife recovery New study shows better wildflower mixes 52 MOVING AWAY FROM LEAD SHOT for bees A joint statement on the use of lead shot 66 12 APPEAL UPDATE What your support has achieved Member offer Sign up your shoot syndicate and save 20% off Expert Advice premium membership provided eight or more 55 THE LATEST NEWS FOR SHOOTS of you sign up. www.gwct.org.uk/ Year of the gamekeeper, BASIS Certificate in premium Game Management, news from GWCT shoots See page 59 for our latest 56 THINGS TO DO training courses and our new accredited BASIS Certificate How to deal with butterfly banks in Game Management. 57 CREATING THE ULTIMATE... On the cover Wildflower margin Lapwing. © Steve Round

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Win a GWCT LETTERS IN Stoney THE PRESS Creek Allerton Project shows moths jacket are increasing, despite national worth plunge in population: Our letter Have your say £299 published in The Guardian STAR Protection against unexpected While moths may be showing a changes in the weather is a critical population drop nationally, Dr Callum Sustainable releasing LETTER piece of clothing for any shooter. Macgregor is correct to observe that Stoney Creek rainwear is 100% the situation is not ‘almost hopeless’ waterproof, 100% windproof and Dear Editor about the sustainability (Moth survey shows steady decline breathable. The Suppressor Jacket As a farmer/conservationist, of released game shoots. in Britain since 1980s). The Allerton has been specifically designed and I believe it is time for the The GWCT’s science-based tested for shooting and includes: Project research farm in Leicestershire GWCT to take the lead in guidelines on release densities, • Easy access pockets. joined the same survey 25 years ago, condemning the exponential supplementary feeding, habitat • Twin adjustment hood with while making changes to our farming increase in released gamebirds. provision and predation control wired peak & volume reducer. and wildlife management. Since You have the data to show the were developed to help shoots • Fleece-lined internal collar & then, both the numbers and species hood for warmth & comfort. unacceptable young stock losses, ensure that they are delivering a diversity of moths have increased. • Hunting inspired Raglan sleeves Outside the common non-consumption of shot birds net biodiversity gain. Many of these to provide enhanced comfort agricultural policy and with and environmental damage from guidelines are embedded in the and unrestricted movement. the right incentives, other • Large front pockets that will excessive stocking. Code of Good Shooting Practice farmers could turn this single easily fit a box of cartridges. The GWCT should actively and the British Game Alliance result into a national trend. condemn this practice and standards. It is imperative that all Please send your letters to: Alastair Leake promote a blueprint for shoots and guns follow the Code. The Editor, Gamewise, GWCT, Fordingbridge, Hants, SP6 1EF Sustainable Ewes: Our letter to sustainable levels of release Indeed, if everyone involved in Email:[email protected] Farmers Guardian highlighting the proven game shooting did so, we would * We reserve the right to edit letters for inclusion. advantages that these bring to be in a good place. Shooting Best letter is in editor’s opinion. Letters are the The National Trust are correct to opinion of the writer and are not necessarily the the environment. The Trust has never been more popular, views of the Trust. be leading the way by increasing should concentrate on its with more people involved, more tree planting on their land. What a excellent conservation research habitat provided and managed, shame though that the approach they to attract more members at the and more income generated for service (www.gwct.org.uk/ propose requires the removal of risk of alienating others. rural communities than ever before. shootbiodiversity) to help livestock undermining the viability of their tenants livelihoods. Planting Jon Capes But there is no excuse for poor or shoots ensure they are maximising trees in pastureland whilst continuing Roger Draycott replies: bad practice. The GWCT offers the conservation benefits that a to graze the grass between the trees, Mr Capes makes important points a shoot biodiversity assessment well-run shoot can deliver. so called Agro-forestry, achieves twin objectives. Evidence is also emerging that the stock benefit from Presenting a positive image the shade in summer and shelter in winter, and in coppice systems Dear Editor the fault of our generation for to avoid the risk of overshooting where the wood can be harvested In this rapidly changing political failing to educate our youngsters. our home breeding population. periodically for biofuel, the livestock climate the image that shooting Robin Combe However, there is no indication of can benefit from controlled grazing of game presents to the general Mike Swan replies: any decline in wintering numbers in the foliage, obtaining minerals brought up to the surface by the tree roots. public is vital. I believe much could Mr Combe is right that shooting the UK, so taking a modest harvest If we are to tackle climate be achieved by changing attitudes. needs to promote a very positive is entirely justified. change let’s try to do so in a way Firstly the most important is image. Individual responsibility Teaching respect among young that preserves peoples livelihoods, the justification for shooting to do the right thing has never Guns is very important and produces income and food, provides woodcock. We are the first to been more important. That said, I everyone should read and follow habitats for wildlife and improves criticise Mediterranean countries disagree with him about giving up The Code of Good Shooting Practice. soil health whilst reducing runoff and for killing migratory birds, so how shooting woodcock simply because The GWCT’s book The Knowledge storing carbon. Not to do so is a can we promote a responsible they are beautiful birds. If we provides an excellent explanation mighty missed opportunity. image while we continue to shoot follow that logic, then most quarry of the science behind The Code, Alastair Leake this very attractive bird? species should be off the menu. and reading a copy should be an My second point is the Woodcock are wonderful and essential for every Gun. You can GIVE US YOUR VIEWS appalling attitude of some should be treated with respect. We then take the Accredited Game Email: [email protected] young shots who appear totally should take care not to overshoot Shot test, to demonstrate that you Write to: Editor, GWCT, indifferent to the game they them, and GWCT guidelines say do indeed have the knowledge Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, have just shot. That is of course, do not shoot them until December (www.gwctknowledge.com). Hants, SP6 1EF

www.gwct.org.uk GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 7 | IN FOCUS NEWS

In focus

Farming

Despite short-term increases, the song thrush population remains substantially lower than in the late 1960s. © Laurie Campbell Farmers and gamekeepers show they count

his February, farmers, birds across our countryside. and environmental schemes but their efforts to reverse bird gamekeepers and the The results of the count are are succeeding and where declines are often unrecorded. Twider public have been not just a celebration of the improvements might be needed. We believe our Big Farmland Bird busily counting the birdlife individual achievements of the Roger Draycott, our head of Count helps remedy this. We across Britain’s farms. The hardworking farmers involved, advisory said: “Farmers have a thank everyone for taking part.” GWCT’s Big Farmland Bird they give an insight into where vital role play to play in the future Full results will be published in Count, kindly sponsored by certain bird species might of many of our most cherished the next Gamewise, but find out the NFU, aims to get more be thriving and where more farmland bird species. As more more at www.bfbc.org.uk. For farmers aware of the birds on work needs to be done. This than 70% of the UK is managed more information about what their land and improve the national picture also helps for agriculture, farmers manage you can do to help farmland measures taken to encourage to show where subsidies our largest songbird habitat, birds on your land, see page 58.

8 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/bfbc NEWS NEWS |

Nature To do this New ways to show your spring

Lose yourself in a book We have expanded our popular range of books available in the GWCT shop. As well as in-house bestsellers like1 The Moorland Balance, you can also pick up books by leading nature authors and support the GWCT at the same time. Browse the whole range at www.gwctshop.org.uk.

Enter the GWCT Julian Gardner awards Open to amateur wildlife photographers, submit your photos of the Recognition of soil health could be an important step for our farmland. © GWCT UK2 countryside – be it game, wildlife, habitat or the people who live and work there. Entries are open until 31 May 2020. For “A big step forward” - our more information or to enter, please visit response to the Agriculture Bill www.gwct.org.uk/photocompetition.

he announcement of a new to treat the importance of a productive Agriculture Bill marks a British countryside and the wildlife farms Send us your Tconsiderable change in the way support as largely separate concerns. gamebag records farming is viewed in UK policy. The Hopefully an understanding of the way As the season has recognition of soil as a public good – and both aspects go hand-in-hand will be ended, please take the time to the inclusion of support for those ensuring reflected in future policy decisions. send3 in your gamebag records to a healthy soil – is hugely significant. This Although a big step forward, there are the National Gamebag Census. announcement should mark the end ways this Bill could be bolder and braver. The more data we receive, the of a long campaign for farmers to be Those farmers whose effort and innovation better the summary trends that supported in protecting our soil – a have already produced a haven for wildlife, we produce. All records are strictly precious national resource. In recent healthy soil or sustainable yields will also confidential. If you have historical years we have argued the case for a be concerned at the focus on ‘farmers data held in game books, do commitment to soil health in the halls new to environmental work or hoping to let us know. Find out more at of Westminster, on the stage of farming do more’. We must encourage as many www.gwct.org.uk/ngc or contact conferences and throughout the farming farmers as possible to ensure responsible Corinne Duggins 01425 651012. press, so this is a substantial step forward. use of the landscape, but what of those A structured focus on food security already achieving it? How will those is also an incredibly welcome addition Working Conservationists recognised TAKING THE LEAD? to the Bill. With the responsibility placed by the GWCT be rewarded for their on farmers to deliver biodiversity, their continued delivery of the Government’s Almost 4,000 people have completed role in feeding our nation is often taken aims? We will only truly know once new our survey on the future of lead shot. for granted. Over half the food we eat is policy is in place, but we will be monitoring produced in the UK and British produce this carefully. Is it time to move away provides a key component of our exports. The importance of this Bill cannot be from using lead? Regular monitoring will help both overstated. As we prepare for life outside farmers and policymakers to react to a of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Yes 53% changing landscape. This also reflects the opportunity to reshape British farming will Bill’s move towards an integrated view of affect not only the livelihoods of hundreds No 47% agriculture and the environment. Farmers of thousands of farmers, but the food on and conservationists have both been your plate and the climate and wildlife that Find out more by reading our joint frustrated by a tendency for policymakers depends on the farmed environment. lead shot statement on page 52.

www.gwct.org.uk/news GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 9 | NEWS NEWS

Show your love of lapwing GWCT in ou can now add a touch of lapwing flair numbers to your wardrobe and support our Yresearch with a new badge and tie. From each purchase of the badge, £5 will be donated to the project that will track lapwing, curlew Over 2,000 and woodcock. of you have become an Andrew Hoodless, who is leading the project, Accredited Game Shot - said: “By buying a badge, you can help us to proving your understanding answer the difficult questions about where our of responsible use of the curlew, lapwing and woodcock go, and why. countryside. If you haven’t “Building on our Woodcock Watch campaign, yet taken the test, you can this new tagging project is our most ambitious yet. do so for free at Every donation will make a vital contribution to www.gwctknowledge.com us getting this project up-and-running so we can Special edition lapwing ties are priced at £29.95 better understand the needs of these much-loved and badges are just £9.99. Order yours today at birds and do more to help them.” www.gwctshop.org.uk. 84% increase in redshank numbers in the Avon Valley Schöffel supports our wader work between 2015 and 2019. Find ollowing the success of its charitable campaign It is a brilliant organisation at the very heart of out more on for Black Friday, premium countrywear the British Countryside, and it has never been page 27. Fspecialists Schöffel Country has announced more relevant or important. This particular wader- that it raised a total of £6,890 for the GWCT. tracking programme will play a vital role in halting Last year Schöffel Country donated £5 from the decline of these three iconic species in the every order on its website over the Black Friday UK – so to be able to contribute to that is hugely 17,500 weekend to the GWCT Wader Tracking Appeal rewarding for us at Schöffel Country.” to conserve three beloved wading birds; curlew, You can support this work today by visiting people now follow us lapwing and woodcock. www.gwct.org.uk/wadertags. on Twitter - giving you Marcus Janssen, brand director at Schöffel access to the latest news and opinions on Country, said: “A highlight of 2019 has countryside and unquestionably been our hugely successful Black wildlife issues. Friday initiative to raise funds for the GWCT.

In Brief need to write out count cards and sending them in for further input. Please contact Ross Macleod 37 A COOKBOOK which supports our vital [email protected] or 07773 898625. letters of response conservation work has scooped three national published in 2019 - including awards. Glorious Game, featuring recipes from more letters to The Times, than 101 well-known chefs and food writers, won On the road again Guardian, Independent and the best Single Subject Cookbook, best Meat Cookbook OUR POPULAR series of roadshows is back for Scotsman - a 30% increase on and best Charity Cookbook at the 2020 Gourmand a third year. For just £10, attendees enjoy a two- the previous year. World Cookbook Awards. Proceeds from each sale hour talk and the chance to find out more about go directly towards the GWCT and the Moorland the issues that matter to them. Feedback from Communities Trust. www.gwctshop.org.uk. previous guests has been extremely positive, with one saying how it had changed the way he would 45,000 A NEW APP is helping land managers count view the countryside for good. We will be visiting mountain hares in Scotland. The Epicollect5 app, North Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Surrey, Somerset, supporters now receive our weekly email developed by Imperial College London and tailored Gloucestershire, London and Hertfordshire this newsletter. Be sure not to by GWCT for count purposes, not only ensures spring, with more locations in the autumn. Andrew miss out on the latest news that estates can share the same methodology to Gilruth will be joined by advisory staff, adding bysigning up today at track hares but also collects real-time statistics in a practical insight and giving their view on the issues gwct.org.uk/newsletter. single place. We believe that this could become the facing the countryside. Book today at www.gwct. default means of recording numbers, removing the org.uk/roadshows. Find out more on page 60.

10 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/news ROUND-UP RESEARCH |

Farming Successes Variety is the spice of life for wild bees

LAPWING pairs on the Avon Valley study area increased from 61 pairs in 2015 to 105 pairs in 2019 You can read all about it on page 26.

Rachel Nichols identified a combination of 14 wildflowers that would support most wild bee species. © Will George

armers could help threatened bee species honeybees, the study focused on how best to and improve crop yields with new wildflower attract species likely to transfer more pollen per Fseed mixes according to a PhD study by visit. A more diverse mix of pollinator species Rachel Nichols at the University of Sussex that has also been shown to improve crop yields, A trial demonstrated that acoustic is supported by the GWCT. Building on recent encouraging those running the project to find recorders could be used to monitor studies showing the importance of wild bees, a combination that was attractive to as many woodcock remotely with 500 the project teamed up with Emorsgate Seeds© different species as possible. woodcock registrations identified to identity which wildflowers attracted certain Across the study, 44 different wildflower species from 12.5% of the recordings. bee species in the plots where the wildflower were monitored, with 40 different wild bee species seed is produced. This provided the bees with an spotted. A combination of 14 wildflowers were abundance of flowers and was a very rigorous test identified that supported all but three of these. of their preferences. Some bees were shown to be heavily dependent The findings of this landmark study also suggest on certain wildflowers, with almost all of the small Setbacks that the current mixes recommended by Defra, garden bumblebee visits observed on kidney vetch. might not be as effective as they could be. In fact, In contrast, more common wild bees such as the the existing nectar flower mix and the flower-rich red-tailed and buff-tailed bumblebee visited a wide margin mixes suggested by Defra each contain range of flowers, demonstrating a preference for only one each of the 18 species found to be most wild knapweed. This illustrates the importance of attractive in the study. With Government policy wildflower diversity in any future seed mixes

moving towards a ‘payment by results’ approach, it (see page 57). Rachel Nichols is now currently © Laurie Campbell is important that the options available to farmers trialling two new mixes to understand how THE Langholm Moor are as effective as possible. practical it may be to use, both in terms of Demonstration project showed that As wild bees are often better pollinators than handling and seed establishment. heather restoration alone is unlikely to offset predation and increase grouse density. Survey shows the importance of keepers

survey launched by the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation, Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association and the GWCT has Ashown the valuable contribution of gamekeepers. Building on a similar survey from 2011, it shows that the 965 gamekeepers who responded, manage more than 1,625,000 hectares of land. 90% CULTIVATED plots are of lowland keepers plant game cover crops and an impressive 98% associated with both higher greener of all respondents provide supplementary food, providing grain for emissions during field operations farmland birds during early spring known as the ‘hungry gap’. You can and higher carbon dioxide emissions read the full report at www.gwct.org.uk/gamekeeperreport. from soil (see page 18).

www.gwct.org.uk/news GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 11 | UPDATES APPEALS

Appeal update: your support matters

Informing policy decisions 2019 WAS an interesting year as Government thinking on the future of agricultural and environmental policy developed. There were common themes in many of our responses, including: The need for a National Soils Strategy to underpin food security and support long- General Licence survey term sustainable production, by encouraging backed by thousands © Dave Kjaer farmers to de-intensify their rotations to build of GWCT supporters Understanding fox control soil health and resilience. A GROUND-BREAKING study has shone a light The need for ‘fit for purpose’ metrics THANK YOU to more than on the real impact of fox control. Tom Porteus, to assess environmental actions such as 3,000 of you who completed a GWCT predation expert, analysed data from Biodiversity Net Gain and the progress of the GWCT General Licences 22 shooting estates over three consecutive years the 25 year Environment Plan. Survey, which is now with using a sophisticated computer model. Landowner/manager involvement was an Defra. Your responses provide Tom was able to reconstruct the unseen important consideration in a number of our fascinating first-hand accounts processes taking place during fox culling, such responses as we sought to ensure that John from the people on the ground as the production of cubs and immigration from Lawton’s ‘more, bigger, better and joined’ who use the licences, and the other locations. The number of foxes alive within approach to conservation is adopted across relative effectiveness of different the estate was estimated fortnight by fortnight, the wider landscape. types of non-lethal control. so the changes in numbers over time could be We addressed misconceptions about the This submission also provides a clearly illustrated. impact of agro-chemicals to biodiversity and significant body of practitioner- He found that all 22 gamekeepers achieved raised the role inorganic nitrogen has had in based evidence on the impacts a reduction in fox density when ground-nesting biodiversity decline. that a range of different common birds are most vulnerable to predation by foxes We sought to re-balance the debate pest and predatory species can in spring and early summer. Fox density at the on upland peatland net zero. This is have on other wildlife, as well as start of this period was on average 47% of what complicated by relatively low emissions crops and livestock. it would have been without culling – and on compared with lowland peat, the need to Defra is currently reviewing a few estates it was close to zero. The rate at prevent high/uncontrolled emissions from the General Licensing system which culled foxes were replaced by immigration wildfire, the current scientific debate on that operates in England after varied among sites, and affected success. On one prescribed burning and the extent to Natural England decided to estate it was as rapid as two foxes per week, which re-wetting might increase methane revoke the three General highlighting the intensive and sustained control emissions potentially negating any beneficial Licences for controlling wild effort that can be required. carbon sequestration. birds, following a legal challenge To fully understand the context in which we by campaigners at Wild Justice, attempt to manage fox predation, it is necessary These themes were reflected in our All-Party fronted by BBC Springwatch to consider both the food resources sustaining Parliamentary Group (APPG) events which presenter Chris Packham. the fox density in ‘source’ areas, and resources covered wildfire, soil health, net zero and Stay up to date with all of at the receiving end. We would like to explore licensing for species recovery. We will continue the latest General Licence news what determines fox immigration pressure and to engage with policymakers through the APPG and much more by signing up answer future questions like where do incoming and consultation responses throughout 2020. to our free weekly newsletter at foxes come from and how do foxes discover For more information, please see www.gwct.org.uk/newsletter. game-rich shooting estates? www.gwct.org.uk/appg.

Get the latest GWCT Roadshows are back news every Wednesday 11 March - Knaresborough Wednesday 6 May - Cirencester weekday morning Thursday 12 March - Chesterfi eld Thursday 14 May - Royston Tuesday 24 March - Farnham Sign up for our free Tuesday 31 March - Taunton Book your place at www.gwct.org.uk/ Morning Briefi ng email at Thursday 2 April - London roadshows or ring 01425 651021. www.gwct.org.uk/ morningbriefi ng

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GAL1019_MARC NEWSON OPINION OUR CONSERVATION PARTNERS |

How others see us

What do other organisations think of our work? This column offers an opportunity to hear their views and helps offer insight into our relationship with them. Here, Rod Greenwood, senior lecturer at Sparsholt College, gives his opinion

alking through the Sparsholt College “The methods, the students have access to a wide range of campus, it is not uncommon to see students scientiﬁ c opportunities that enrich their studies. Wwith muddy boots bundled in the back of Former Sparsholt wildlife management student Jodie 4x4s. With its established wide range of courses, state- theory and Case secured a three-week placement as a student of-the-art equipment and facilities, and industry-active practices research assistant at the GWCT, which led to further lecturers, Sparsholt College has an enviable reputation volunteering opportunities and eventually a permanent for the outstanding training and development of that the Trust role as research assistant on the Waders for Real project. students in land and wildlife management. produces She now oversees the involvement of current Sparsholt We work with the GWCT to inform our teaching are crucial to students on the project, which seeks to reverse the and learning, both in the classroom and out in the decline of breeding waders in the Avon Valley. field. The scientific theory and practices that the Trust enriching our Working with the GWCT means that we are produces are crucial to enriching our courses and courses and providing the most up to date science and knowledge developing our students to industry standards. developing to our students, and the most varied and expert The relationship between the college and the GWCT experiences possible. This gives them the tools necessary has been decades in the making. Since 1973, when only our students to secure successful careers as wildlife managers of one single-year course was available in this sector, to to industry the future. now, where land and wildlife management courses range standards across full-time, part-time and apprenticeships. All of ” Rod Greenwood these courses are informed by the vast experience and Senior Lecturer in Land and Wildlife Management insight provided from the Trust. Having a great connection with the GWCT is a real asset to students and the college. Through widespread contacts in this industry, students benefit from excellent opportunities for progression, development and hands on experience. Lecturers are still actively involved on a Surrounded by the professional basis in the study and management of the Hampshire countryside, countryside and wildlife, spreading this pool of contacts Sparsholt College is a leading provider of a range and industry links even further. of land-based courses. This access to exciting work placements means every Students learn in state- year, each new intake of students are able to participate of-the-art facilities, under and work on projects run by the GWCT. Whether industry experts, to develop it’s clearing derelict hedgerows and boundary lines, knowledge and skills that are valued by employers. monitoring GWCT mink rafts on the Upper Itchen, or www.sparsholt.ac.uk managing local estates by fox control and other trapping Students on the wildlife management course.

www.gwct.org.uk GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 15 16 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk THE ALLERTON INNOVATIVE FARMING | PROJECT

Research & demonstration farm The latest news, research and advice

News Research Natural England Chairman visits Project Monitoring aphids and BYDV What Nature Does for Britain. The recent ban on neonicotinoid plants to allow us to evaluate On this visit we were able to seed dressings for cereals has their predictive capability. Trials show him round the new Visitors left farmers in the lurch because of the sticky trap system by Centre and introduce him to the they provided protection farmers and agronomists showed extensive research programme on against aphids that transmit the that their aphid identification soil management. After the visit serious disease barley yellow skills needed improving, but he tweeted: ‘Fascinating to see dwarf virus (BYDV). As a even with minimal training aphid Tony Juniper, Chairman of Natural England.

© World Economic Forum/Jakob Polacsek research @AllertonProject into result, many farmers are now trends could be detected. The We were pleased to welcome how public goods arising from spraying pyrethroid insecticides majority were also willing to Tony Juniper back to the healthy soil (carbon capture, clean prophylactically, which doesn’t use the system on their farms in Allerton Project in his new role water and reduced flood risk) can help as it reduces invertebrate future. as chairman of Natural England. be combined with profitable food levels within fields and runs The field trials revealed that Tony visited the Project in the production and wildlife recovery, the risk of polluting waterways at least three times as many early years and cites the work of including fish, birds and insects. where they are very toxic to cereal aphids were captured the Allerton Project in his book An inspiring joining of the dots’. aquatic invertebrates. in the headland areas of fields, Last winter our Farmland especially next to taller field Ecology team along with our boundaries driven there by Project success highlighted in the Lords partners Agrii, tested whether wind currents. This offers an We were delighted to welcome Lord Caithness and Lord sticky traps could be used as opportunity to reduce insecticide Shrewsbury to the Allerton Project. Both are regular attendees of field-based monitoring tool to usage by only treating such areas, our All-Party Parliamentary Group on Game & Wildlife Conservation, predict when and the levels but needs further research to with Lord Caithness elected as an officer at the last AGM. of aphids invading fields in a confirm the impact on whole Following the visit and speaking in the House of Lords during the pilot project funded by AHDB. field populations and the risk to Queen’s Speech debate, Lord Caithness said: “Rural land should be used Initially we conducted a survey invertebrates in field margins. for producing food and for conservation. The Allerton Project farm in of farmers and agronomists We found huge variation in Leicestershire is a very good example of how this is done. It is run by the to ascertain current practices aphid immigration between GWCT and I recommend it as a template to the Government because and to see if there would be fields, even on the same farm, it has 25 years of solid research to prove that this can be done; we do demand for such a tool, with with 24% having no aphid not want our farmers to become just environmental contractors.” 92% responding positively. We immigration. Less than 5% of Lord Shrewsbury, speaking later in the same debate said: “More conducted field trials of a yellow tested aphids carried the virus. emphasis must be placed on nurturing wildlife and the environment sticky trap to determine a) Having more grassland in the forming the basis for a revitalisation of both for the future. In this predictive capabilities surrounding landscape increased context I pay tribute to the work of the GWCT. Game shooting and of the sticky trap the levels of aphid immigration. fishing plays an important part in the rural economy, often providing system, b) practicalities We used sticky traps to sample winged cereal aphids, badly needed jobs and income in less-favoured areas. Indeed, wildlife of use by farmers and which can transmit the barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). can prosper on well managed shoots and fisheries.” agronomists, c) whether landscape composition, boundary type and Look out for... Technology type of tillage affect We are keen advocates of taking immigration of aphid land out of agricultural production to vectors. The sticky create wildlife habitat where we can traps were effective at identify the least productive areas to sampling winged cereal do this with. We have started to use aphids and a single 20 x drones to make crop assessments 20cm trap was sufficient more rapidly and accurately and to identify differences have been employing a SPAD within- and between Chlorophyll meter to help fine-tune fields, but insufficient

www.gwct.org.uk/allerton GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 17 THE ALLERTON | INNOVATIVE FARMING PROJECT

DID YOU DON'T MISS THE BETA Certificate WE HAVE RECORDED up to in Conservation Management course 800 earthworms per m2 in arable KNOW... running from April to November. fields which is a good indicator of www.gwct.org.uk/beta healthy soil.

Climate change

Rising to the So, what are we doing? In These management approaches are all our landscape scale Water examples of adaptation to climate change, climate challenge Friendly Farming project, but there is a considerable need also to we have demonstrated develop means of mitigation. We have that creating ‘clean previously demonstrated that reduced water ponds’ isolates tillage and direct drilling reduce greenhouse aquatic wildlife from gas emissions associated with diesel use nutrient pollution which for cultivations. Most recently, through the is expected to get SoilCare project, we can monitor actual more severe because of emissions of greenhouse gases from the soil climate change. We are in relation to different management practices investigating the potential (see box below). There is growing evidence of permeable timber dams elsewhere that direct drilling also has the in headwaters to hold back potential to sequester carbon in the soil. water during storms and There is also a strong national policy reduce flood risk downstream. to increase tree planting with incentives Recent high rainfall is enabling us to specifically to increase carbon sequestration. evaluate this approach to protecting Trees in the right place and for the right vulnerable communities and assets. purpose have an important role, benefiting In our EU-funded SoilCare project, we wildlife, reducing flood risk and improving are exploring the potential of deep-rooting water quality, as well as storing carbon agricultural grasses which have been bred for (see box overleaf). The trade-off between One of our permeable dams with storm water backing up drought resistance food production behind it, attenuating downstream flood peaks. to improve water can be a distraction from and forestry can be infiltration during “ addressed through a he scientific evidence for human- storms and buffer the need for mitigation range of agroforestry induced climate change has been against flood risk. through the choices we approaches, if only Taround for a long time. Modelling in The SoilCare project a sufficiently flexible the 1970s first presented the convincing case also enables us to each make every day policy can be put for the need to reduce greenhouse gases investigate ways ” in place. associated with the burning of fossil fuels. of addressing the There is a danger The International Panel on Climate Change increasing problem of soil compaction, largely though. Tree planting and natural flood risk (IPCC) has been highlighting the issue on a consequence of using large machinery on measures can be a distraction from the need the global stage since 1988. In the UK, 2006 increasingly wet autumn soils. for mitigation through the choices we each saw the publication of the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change with a clear message to get mitigation measures MEASURING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS underway immediately to avoid more expensive crisis management later. Our Gasmet soil gas analyser measures the flux of different gases. We are particularly interested in carbon The 2015 Paris Agreement on tackling dioxide and nitrous oxide, the latter having 298 times climate change was the first ever legally the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. As binding global agreement between nations, nitrous oxide emissions increase under anaerobic but it has been followed by a lack of political conditions resulting from compacted soils, we were leadership and action. And here we are. concerned that emissions from our compacted direct Increased frequency and intensity of storm drilled experimental plots would be higher than in the events and associated flooding are now the cultivated plots, but they are not. Cultivated plots are reality, and drought and forest fires become associated with both higher greenhouse emissions during more familiar news. The discussion is not field operations and higher carbon dioxide emissions about whether coastal settlements could be from soil, making direct drilling the better option from a flooded by a rising sea, but which ones need Our soil scientist, Jenny Bussell, with the climate change mitigation perspective. to be abandoned first. soil gas analyser.

18 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/allerton THE ALLERTON INNOVATIVE FARMING | PROJECT

SONGBIRD NUMBERS ARE 62% above WE HAD MORE than 2,500 visitors in GWCT’s Allerton Project the 1992 baseline with species such as 2019. To book a visit to see the latest Loddington, Leicestershire blackbird, song thrush, linnet and research or join one of our courses, LE7 9XE. 01572 717220 whitethroat showing consistent increases. please contact us on 01572 717220. [email protected]

TREE PLANTING FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION LATEST DEMONSTRATION Scientific evidence for short-term carbon sequestration FARM ADVICE from tree planting on arable land shows clear benefits for both above-and below-ground carbon. The above- ground carbon benefit of tree planting in pasture on mineral soils is also clear. However, the effect on soil carbon of tree planting into pasture is not conclusive because of uncertainties associated with carbon stored in soil. The most recent research by Cranfield University shows that when trees are planted into pasture, carbon sequestration is confined to above-ground growth, rather than sequestration in soil in the early years. Harvesting timber reduces the carbon storage potential, COVER CROP CORNER especially in this early period. Young tree plantation. Over the winter we have been working with the Allerton Project team to support the collation and submission of a new Countryside Stewardship (CS) application make every day – an excuse to continue as nutritional benefits, we need to enjoy for the farm. Having been in Higher Level flying for example. The key point above local and seasonal food, and to improve Stewardship for the last 10 years, the decision all others is that addressing the threats of household insulation and use of renewable to either ‘roll’ the scheme on for a further climate change can only be achieved by energy. Increasing numbers of investors are year by Natural England or to start afresh individuals and businesses taking steps to now stimulating demand for a carbon neutral needed some careful consideration. Eventually, reduce their impact. economy by divesting from fossil fuels. To after reviewing the new options and improved At the Allerton Project, we have been using quote the IMF’s Managing Director, Kristina payment rates, it was clear that there was wood fuel from our own woods to heat our Georgieva: “We are running out of that much to gain from submitting a new CS Mid offices and visitor centre for many years, and most precious commodity – time”. We need Tier application to commence in January 2021. the latter has efficient straw bale and wool more meaningful policies for changes to Utilising our ‘precision conservation’ insulation and rainwater harvesting, all of which industry, transport, energy and land use, but approach, we are working with our colleagues reduce our direct and indirect greenhouse gas in the end it’s up to us. All of us. at SOYL to map the farm to record key emissions. Home working and the multitude Natural Capital features, alongside yield, of internet services for communication reduce biomass and soil type information. Bringing this Chris Stoate is head of our need to travel, and we use trains for travel research at our Allerton data together is helping the farm, shoot and wherever possible. Project research and advisory teams to identify unproductive land Individually, we need to reduce, and demonstration farm. and pinpoint areas that can further improve ideally stop flying; we need to reduce meat He is keen to share our the habitat for game and farmland wildlife. research results and consumption while maintaining the livestock show how everyone can New options for Mid Tier include AB16 systems that have environmental as well help, not just farmers. Autumn Sown Bumblebird, paying £550 a hectare. This helps deliver critical insect- rich brood-rearing habitat for wild game, as Since 2012 the Our biomass boiler has well as providing winter food in the second visitor centre produced enough heat from our year.While we wait for the Environmental solar panels own woodland thinnings to have generated heat the equivalent of Land Management Schemes (ELMS) to commence in 2024, it clearly pays to earn 85,000 stewardship revenue in its current form and £3,730 homes for an hour, worth of GREEN to demonstrate best practice. electricity saving Richard Barnes or saving over litres of Kings Crops provide agronomy advice 24,348 heating oil, and supply seed for the Allerton Project 23 equivalent to farm’s game cover, stewardship To learn more visit and green cover crops. gwct.org.uk/allerton 252 million kingscrops.co.uk tonnes of carbon watts of electricity

www.gwct.org.uk/allerton GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 19 BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II SWAROVSKI OPTIK SUPPLIER OF BINOCULARS

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H-01C_Shooting_A4_EN_RWL.indd 1 29.03.19 10:02 UPLANDSFEATURE LANGHOLM MOOR |

Langholm Moor - the end of an era

Sonja Ludwig reports on the research that has helped us better understand the conflict between red grouse management and raptor conservation interests © Laurie Campbell

www.gwct.org.uk/research GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 21 | LANGHOLM MOOR UPLANDS

ince 1992, Langholm Moor has hosted studies numbers and extending and improving the heather that focused on the conflict between moorland habitat. However, it failed to achieve its key target of Smanagement for red grouse and raptor shooting sufficient grouse (1,000 brace in a season) conservation, including the Joint Raptor Study (1992- to ensure the moor reaches a financially viable state. 1996) and the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project In fact, no grouse were shot during the LMDP, and (2008-2017). Active grouse moor management ceased because of this the keepering part of the project ceased in 1999, after rising predation pressure on red grouse in 2016, two years ahead of the intended 10-year Sonja Ludwig is a caused by increasing numbers of hen harriers and duration. Nevertheless, our research at Langholm has research ecologist in peregrines reduced grouse densities to a point where helped us better understand what has constrained our uplands team, and driven grouse shooting became economically unviable. grouse recovery, and may thus help resolve the has worked as project Keepering was resumed from 2008 to 2016 during the described conflicts between management for grouse and scientist on the Lang- holm Moor Demonstra- Langholm Moor Demonstration Project (LMDP). conservation of raptors. tion Project since 2012. The LMDP, a 10-year partnership project between Buccleuch Estates, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Game & Key findings included: Wildlife Conservation Trust, RSPB and Natural England, 1) Grouse moor management (predator control aimed to restore Langholm Moor as a driven grouse and habitat management) had a positive effect moor to meet the nature conservation objectives for on abundance and/or breeding success of several the Site of Special Scientific Interest (upland habitats and ground-nesting birds of conservation concern, WHAT ARE breeding birds) and Special Protection Area (breeding including red grouse, black grouse, hen harrier, YOUR VIEWS? hen harriers). Its main objectives were to increase merlin, curlew and golden plover. grouse numbers sufficiently to support economically 2) Diversionary feeding of hen harriers reduced the What do you think viable driven shooting, to maintain a viable population number of red grouse chicks delivered to harrier is the future for of hen harriers, and to extend and improve the heather nests compared with modelled predictions. However, our uplands? habitat. From 2008 until spring 2016, five gamekeepers even together with other management actions, this Email us at controlled foxes, crows and small mustelids and managed was insufficient to increase grouse densities to a level [email protected] the heather habitat by rotational burning and cutting. considered adequate for driven shooting. To reduce the impact of hen harrier predation on 3) Survival of adult grouse and grouse chicks grouse chicks, all hen harrier broods were provided with contributed most to grouse population changes and diversionary food. In addition, agri-environment funds reduced the rate of population recovery. Grouse (Below) Langholm Moor’s from the Scottish Rural Development carcasses we recovered suggested future is now uncertain Programme were used to help “heather restoration that predation, mostly associated as the moor is up for restore heather cover by reducing with raptor signs, was the main sale, but bird species numbers of grazing sheep. alone is unlikely to offset cause of mortality. of conservation concern such as curlew, black Sheep removal helped to 4) Neither grouse breeding predation and increase grouse, merlin and golden reverse decades of heather loss, success nor survival were plover benefited from while reduced predation levels grouse density” related to heather cover. Hence, the management put in likely contributed to the population heather restoration alone is place. Sheep removal also helped to reverse decades recovery of ground-nesting birds. Hence, the project unlikely to offset predation and increase grouse of heather loss. © Laurie achieved its targets of increasing hen harrier breeding density, although it has the potential to increase Campbell/Dave Kjaer

THIS WORK ALSO BENEFITED:

22 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/research UPLANDS LANGHOLM MOOR |

DID YOU THE CONFLICT: GROUSE KNOW? MANAGEMENT AND RAPTOR Until the early 2000s, CONSERVATION heather cover was © Laurie Campbell falling sharply in Hen harriers can be a risk to the UK as a result driven grouse shooting as they can limit grouse at low densities and of overgrazing and reduce shooting bags to the extent commercial forestry, that continued shooting becomes however, a GWCT economically unviable. Consequently, study showed that some hen harriers are killed illegally, management for which limits their abundance and driven grouse distribution and has contributed to shooting slows the the absence of breeding hen harriers loss of heather from on many grouse moors in northern our landscape. England and Scotland.

grouse carrying capacity in the long term. Overall, grouse by individual buzzards was low. However, employment of gamekeepers had greater benefits to total consumption could be considerable given the grouse density than reductions in sheep grazing and high numbers of buzzards on the project area. Thus, the associated heather recovery. it is possible that grouse consumption by buzzards 5) Afforestation in the landscape surrounding Langholm contributed to limiting grouse recovery at Langholm, (Annandale & Eskdale and Roxburgh, an area of but only if they killed the grouse they consumed. 3,086km2) and the increasing isolation from other heather moors may have hampered grouse immigration The final report of the LMDP and links to all scientific and emigration, leading to a grouse population less well papers can be found on www.langholmproject.com. buffered against growing predation pressure. However, research on Langholm Moor has now reached (6) As buzzards were the most numerous raptor species a crossroads as the landowner, Buccleuch Estates have during the LMDP, a PhD studentship aimed to put the moor up for sale. It remains to be seen how measure the potential effects of buzzards on red the management strategy of a new owner will shape the grouse. The results showed that consumption of future of this moor and its associated biodiversity.

Research in action... How to count grouse 1

2 © Dave Kjaer Counting with pointer dogs Understanding the counts As red grouse can be difficult to detect in To translate the number of grouse counted heather, we use trained pointer dogs to count into estimates of density (grouse km2), we them. The dog searches on either side of an use distance sampling. This method is based observer walking along a line transect, and on the concept that the probability of detecting stops (‘points’) whenever it scents grouse. The an animal decreases with increasing distance observer can then flush the birds to count from the transect line. Using the distance of them as well as to determine their sex and age flush points from the transect line, the (ie. young or old in July). We also record the program calculates the area effectively searched location of each pair or covey of grouse and their by the dog, which is then used to estimate perpendicular distance from the transect line. grouse density.

www.gwct.org.uk/research GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 23 | SALMON FISHERIES

DID YOU KNOW?

Each September, our fisheries team catch, weigh, measure and tag more than 10,000 salmon parr.

Numbers of wild Atlantic salmon have fallen so low, there are fears that they could be lost from our rivers over the next 50 years. © Sergey Prusov Uniting for salmon Dylan Roberts sheds light on how the Missing Salmon Alliance aims to combine expertise to reverse the decline of Atlantic salmon

he numbers of Atlantic salmon combining expertise, co-ordinating activities, global reach and the LSF mirrors a similar returning to our rivers in 2018 were bringing together research and advocating initiative undertaken for Pacific salmon. Tthe lowest ever recorded continuing effective management solutions. The MSA was launched in November at a sharp decline since the 1980s. Numbers The collaboration will coalesce around Fishmongers Hall, who kindly sponsored the have fallen so low that conservationists fear a research programme called the ‘Likely event. The Prince of Wales, Patron of the that if rates continue, wild Atlantic salmon Suspects Framework’ (LSF) which will Atlantic Salmon Trust and Salmon & Trout could be lost from many of our rivers over identify all the pinch points in the salmon Conservation, said in a video message to the the next 50 years. life history and look at ways in which they forum: “The very future of a species that This worrying conundrum prompted can be overcome to improve salmon has been swimming in our oceans and seas four of the UK’s most prominent salmon conservation. Our existing SAMARCH for over six million years will be in jeopardy. conservation charities: Atlantic Salmon Trust; project and our core salmon Index river We simply cannot allow this to happen in Salmon & Trout Conservation; Angling Trust work will form a key part of this programme; our lifetime. Having our four leading salmon with Fish Legal; and the GWCT to form including identifying for the first time how conservation organisations working together a collaboration called the Missing Salmon salmon use estuaries and coastal waters in through the Missing Salmon Alliance, with Alliance (MSA). Masterminded by GWCT the English Channel and Scotland. It will also support from both the private and public fisheries trustee, David Mayhew, the MSA provide information on how salmon survival sectors, is hugely encouraging.” will fight to reverse the devastating collapse at sea is impacted by their early juvenile www.gwct.org.uk/salmon in wild Atlantic salmon around the UK by stages in rivers. The collaboration will have

24 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/fishing Regal RB Regal In a class of its own

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EU LIFE PROGRAMME The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action created in 1992. To date LIFE has 0.7 co-financed more than 4,600 projects. Until ﬂ edged young per pair per annum are needed 2013, LIFE had contributed approximately to maintain a stable €3.1 billion to the protection of the environ- lapwing population ment. During the current 2014-2020 funding period the programme will contribute approximately €3.4 billion more. LIFE provides

26 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/wadersforreal WADERS AVON VALLEY |

PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS ...... Waders bounce 40 FARMERS, GAMEKEEPERS AND back in the LANDOWNERS. . . . . WERE. . .INVOLVED . . Avon Valley 61 Lizzie Grayshon reports on the Waders for Real LAPWING PAIRS IN THE project which has seen wader populations . STUDY. . . AREA. . IN. .2015 . . make a comeback 105 LAPWING PAIRS IN THE he farmer-led Waders for Real project started STUDY AREA IN 2019 in 2014, seeking to reverse the decline of ...... Tbreeding waders in the Avon Valley, a river floodplain of high biodiversity interest, part of which is 84% designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Site INCREASE IN REDSHANK NUMBERS of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). BETWEEN 2015 AND 2019 In 1982, the Avon Valley constituted one of the top ...... Lizzie Grayshon is our ecologist who is in eight lowland wet grassland sites in England and Wales charge of the Waders for breeding waders. Since then surveys at six to seven for Real Project and has year intervals have shown a dramatic decline in the been working closely number of breeding waders, mirroring trends seen with local farmers to help them restore their across Europe. By 2010, the number of lapwing pairs wader populations. had fallen from 208 in 1990 to 71, pairs of redshank had dropped from 117 to 22 and common snipe from 37 FOXES FITTED WITH 29 to one. GPS TRACKING COLLARS Monitoring of lapwing breeding success before ...... LIFE Waders for Real, showed that productivity was too low to maintain a stable breeding population, with low nest and chick survival attributed to high 80 levels of predation. In addition, to predation issues, CAMERA TRAPS USED ON HOTSPOTS EACH YEAR the increased prevalence of intensively grazed short ...... swards, inappropriate water levels and encroaching scrub were reducing the extent of suitable sites within the Avon Valley for breeding waders. To halt the decline of lapwing and redshank, work was needed to improve breeding success by reducing predation and increasing habitat suitability. In a time of increasing threat to our wildlife, 1.3KM the good news is that this initiative which involved OF FENCING REMOVED conservation organisations working closely with ...... landowners, farmers and gamekeepers has helped Avon Valley wader populations make a comeback. During the 31 project, the lapwing population is now holding stable NEW SCRAPES at 70-80 pairs with a record year recorded in 2019 of ...... 105 pairs, the highest seen since 2010. The number of breeding redshank has increased from 19 pairs in 2015 7.5KM to 35 pairs in 2019, drumming snipe were also heard OF DITCHES CREATED OR RESTORED on the water meadows in 2018 and 2019.

www.gwct.org.uk/wadersforreal GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 27 | AVON VALLEY WADERS

(L-R) Shallow wet scrapes are important for foraging wader chicks. Three four-week-old lapwing chicks, an adult redshank and its brood can be seen on this photo from an Avon Valley scrape taken in 2018; temporary electric fences were used during the wader breeding season to exclude foxes and badgers and improve nest and chick survival.

Establishing an environment to aid wader recovery of particular habitat features in this landscape, including DID YOU has focused on the creation of wader hotspots, where temporary electric fencing. Red fox scat and stomach KNOW? a combination of intensive habitat improvements sampling was conducted to investigate the diet of this and management of wader chick predators has been predator and assess the importance of wader prey items. When they hatch, conducted. In-field wet features provide optimum This information will be used to inform our approach to lapwing chicks weigh conditions for foraging wader chicks, supplying a rich source the issue of mammalian predator management. only around 15-17g. of invertebrates to eat and soft soil to facilitate probing. They can start to Waders select open landscapes, avoiding places We monitored foxes with GPS collars to find out more about their diet and how they use habitat features in the landscape. forage by themselves, where predators perch and hide. With the help of but rely on their students from Sparsholt College (see page 15), over mother to brood two kilometres of old fence lines and willow scrub have them, as they are un- been removed and 125,885m2 of wader breeding habitat able to regulate their protected from terrestrial predators by electric fencing. In own body tempera- addition, intensive camera trap monitoring has improved ture. They are very the efficiency of predator control already conducted on vulnerable at this age, parts of the study area by private landowners to assist relying on the parent wader recovery. birds to alarm call at The red fox was identified as the main predator of the sign of danger lapwing clutches in several studies prior to 2014. However, and their camouflage very little was known about fox hunting behaviour, to protect them particularly in wet grassland habitats. Foxes in the Avon from predation. Valley were fitted with GPS collars to evaluate their use

THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND WADERS FOR REAL CONFERENCE

The successes seen through the project have only been The Waders for Real project held an end of project conference possible with the help and support from the farmers, keepers in 2019 to celebrate the successes, difficulties and lessons learnt and landowners involved. Their commitment and passion for through the LIFE Waders for Real project. Delegates from a conserving waders has been paramount throughout the project. variety of organisations including the RSPB, Natural England, the NFU, other NGOs, as well as private landowners/managers/ farmers and GWCT staff were invited with around 60 attendees. This was an opportunity for discussing best practice, current knowledge gaps and future research opportunities.

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30 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk Countywise Your update on county events and fundraising Spring 2020 © Charles Sainsbury-Plaice, Black Fox images

www.gwct.org.uk/events GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 31 | COUNTYWISE CLAY DAYS

Our popular clay days are held around the country. © Black Fox images, Charles Sainsbury-Plaice Don’t miss our clay days Whether you are looking for a fun day out to entertain clients, or a social, action-packed outing, our clay days are definitely for you. Single guns or teams of four are available, so please book in advance to avoid disappointment. We are enormously grateful to all the landowners and supporters. If you would like to get more involved by way of sponsorship or donating auction prizes, please get in touch with Lottie Messon at [email protected]. The current list of events is displayed below, but please check www.gwct.org.uk/events or with your local committee to find out more throughout the year.

No. per Cost per County Where When Team Team For more information, please contact

Cambridgeshire Six Mile Bottom 2 May 4 TBC Katy Davis; [email protected] Cheshire West Midlands Shooting Ground 24 April 4 £600 John Whitcliffe; [email protected] Devon Ugbrooke Park, Chudleigh 25 April TBC TBC [email protected] Essex Park Farm, Saffron Walden 05 June 4 £675 James Hamilton; ofﬁ [email protected] Lancashire Claughton Hall Estate 14 June 3 £180 Mike McKendry; [email protected] 01524 274410 Leics & Rutland Prestwold Hall, Loughborough 21 May 4 £500 Lottie Meeson; [email protected] 07976 207113

London West London Shooting School 12 June 4 £600 (or £150 PP) Eleanor Usborne; [email protected] 0207 290 0110 Northumberland Hulne Priory, Hulne Park, Alnwick 25 June 8 £1,600 (4 guns + 4 loaders) Sophie Dingwall; [email protected] North Wales Bob Valentine Shooting School 16 September 4 TBC Rupert Bevan; [email protected] Powys The Rocks, Stanage Park 18 April TBC TBC Amanda Harris-Lea; [email protected] Scotland (SE) Crookston tbc September 4 TBC Malcolm Leslie; malcolmandgeorgina@ btinternet.com Staffordshire Bagot’s Park, Abbots Bromley June TBC 4 TBC David Dale; [email protected] 07881783298 Suffolk Euston Hall, Thetford 15 May 4 £750 Rebecca Gatens; [email protected] 01284 762331 Sussex Northall Farm Fletching 26 June 4 £400 Fleur Fillingham; fﬁ [email protected] © Charles Sainsbury-Plaice

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London

(L-R) Kaylie Bloxham, George Juer & Zoe Philips; Marina Gibson; guests enjoying the fanastic ballroom in The Savoy. (Inset) Auctioneer Charlie Thomas. 40th Anniversary ball celebrates in style

jolly crowd headed to The Savoy communication work, all of which was private island of Mustique; a day’s shooting on the Strand for the GWCT’s only made possible by the at Gunnerside; a Kenyan safari and A40th Anniversary London Ball generosity of numerous the chance to have a VIP tour in November, which was generously individuals and organisations. of the McLaren Formula sponsored by Hook Norton Brewery, A delicious dinner of One centre. Afterwards 8 Vodka and Mainbrace Rum. The evening wood pigeon followed attention turned to kicked off in style with more than 200 by a succulent duo of the laser shoot, mirror

guests tucking into delicious game inspired Highland venison was photobooth and, of © The Invisible Artist Dan Day canapés at the Louis Roederer champagne served, during which course, tearing up the reception, before listening to Ball chairman guests were entertained dance floor. David Ross, who in his welcome highlighted by Kieron the Mighty Overall, the evening was that there has never been a more vital Magician’s captivating tricks. an incredible success, pulled time for people to show their commitment Guests sipped on Mainbrace together by the wonderful to the GWCT. The evening raised more Rum cocktails as Charlie Thomas committee and we would like than £130,000, a critical contribution of Bonhams conducted the auction, to thank everyone who supported the to the GWCT’s research, policy and with lots including a holiday to the 40th Anniversary Ball.

Gamey Jaimie snatches victory THE GAME On dinner and auction in wet October. Top game chefs Jaimie Battersea Park was a highlight of a rather Haselock (Gamey Jaimie), Will Alldis (the Shot Gun Chef) and Alix Caiger (Caiger & Co) prepared three outstanding game dishes for the chance to win the coveted GWCT Game Chef of the Year Award 2019. The aim for the game chefs was to

prepare a dish that was simple enough that © Fieldsports it could be replicated at home or in the field. Judged by James Knowles, Lisa Linard and the BGA’s Tom Adams, who Diary dates also generously sourced all of the game, each dish was fantastic in taste, ease and Clay day – 12 June appearance. After much deliberation the London Ball – summer judges crowned Jaimie Haselock the winner GWCT lecture series – autumn for his stupendous venison and blackberry Game on Event – October vodka jus; one of the judges commented: ‘by the time the venison got to us it had For more details please contact Eleanor heavenly wings’. Usborne [email protected] or Jamie Haselock preparing his heavenly venison and For a copy of the full recipes please email 07702 559422. blackberry vodka jus. [email protected].

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Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire Join us at the Tower of London

e are delighted to announce a unique event taking place in the Wmoat of the Tower of London, a first in the 1,000 years of the castle. Details will follow but please register your interest with Gay Wilmot-Smith at gwilmotsmith@ gwct.org.uk. It promises to be an amazing evening with a master class in dry fly-casting, The fabulous shoot walk at Caldecote. followed by dinner at the Royal Fusiliers Mess, ending with the Ceremony of the Keys. Other Hexton to host forthcoming events include simulated game days, shoot walks and ferret racing. t was a busy start of the year for Bedfordshire with the ever popular quiz The new unique event will take place in the moat. Iin March, followed by another record turnout for the shoot walk at Caldecote in June, courtesy of Simon Maudlin. Cambridgeshire A quiet autumn prepares the county for the year ahead and a range of Bedfordshire Dutch Master on show events will be published shortly. Of particular note, by kind invitation of Hugo and Gallia he Cheffins Fine Art preview sale Burton, Savills and Tees Law. It also saw Grimston, is the popular shoot walk to be and drinks took place in September, the launch of the Sporting Partridge Raffle, held at Hexton Manor on 18 June. Don’t Twith guests treated to a talk about tickets which are available at £30 each from miss out and keep your eye on the diary some key sale items, including a Dutch Old Claire Smith claire@russellsmithfarms. of events. Master. Jim Paice spoke about topical issues co.uk to win a double gun day on a facing the GWCT both here and at the partridge shoot plus other prizes. The draw Sporting Ball at Burloes Hall in October. will be held on Friday 24 July. The Bristol & N Somerset The ball was a spectacular night, raising next clay shoot is confirmed at Six Mile more than £20,000 and was generously Bottom on Saturday 2 May (see page 32 Cider success supported by headline sponsors Hardcastle for more details).

uests were treated to a fascinating tour of Thatchers Cider at Cornwall GSandford in July. Kindly hosted by John Thatcher, guests visited the orchards, Adam Henson entertains the highly impressive processing facility and enjoyed a delicious lunch at The Railway Inn ornwall had a fantastic year with June saw a well-attended shoot walk at with cider tasting to follow. Caerhays Castle the venue for Trewithen. Mike Swan and the Trewithen The inaugural Winter Ball took place at Cmembers to receive research estate owner, manager and gamekeepers Wick Farm Barn, near Bath in November. updates on woodcock and the success of the spoke to about 80 inquisitive country folk Guests enjoyed prosecco and canapés on Cornwall grey partridge recovery project. about the shooting valley. arrival, followed by a three-course dinner Caerhays once again with cheese and complimentary wine, an held the hugely successful auction then dancing. Another great success clay shoot in August for this committee. thanks to the Williams Wick Farm was the fantastic venue for the Winter Ball. family, and the year culminated with the dinner and auction in October at the Hotel Bristol, Newquay. Guest speaker, Adam Henson, delighted the packed audience with his anecdotes and clear countryside knowledge.

Adam Henson delighted Cornwall

guests with his anecdotes and William Pounder

clear countryside knowledge. ©

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Cheshire Devon Superb Colshaw lunch Aiming high heshire’s superb Colshaw Hall lunch and clay shoot at Hodnet in CMarch, kindly sponsored by Savills, raised more than £17,000. Wrekin Sporting of Shropshire very generously offered an auction lot at the lunch for a partridge day at the Wappenshall shoot. Roderick Bailey, the successful bidder, enjoyed a day in The Devon High Four day in November. © TI Media September, accompanied by Oxfordshire online auction winner Richard Rae. Roderick n June, we teamed up with the Devon said: “The day was fabulous and I would Wildfowling & Conservation Association certainly recommend Wappenshall as a Ias its guests at the Exe Estuary ‘Sannaville’ great classic driven partridge experience.” (L-R) Lucky winnners Richard Rae and Roderick Bailey. marsh site for a conservation walk. Later in the month, guests enjoyed a simulated game shooting day in the beautiful surroundings of Cumbria the Great Fulford estate, generously hosted by Guy Imray. The very popular auction was held at the cheese and wine evening, kindly hosted by Dave Dicker, which was another great success. The year ended with the spectacular Devon GWCT High Four Day in November Skimming where the lucky winner enjoyed a ‘money can’t buy’ day with seven friends staying at the the Levens High Bullen Hotel and shooting the signature drives at Heanton Satchville, Great Warham, challenge Hall and Portledge. The day culminated with a banquet back at Hall. Our thanks to all those involved for their support and generosity. Competitors at the Levens Team Challenge took part in clay shooting, fly-fishing, stone skimming, axe throwing and Devon will be launching another GWCT much more. © Tom Sykes Photography High Four in May for the 2021 season. he joint Cumbria/Lancashire Levens Team Challenge, kindly hosted by Richard and Naomi Bagot at Levens Park in May, was well-supported by teams enjoying fantastic Dorset Tchallenges including clay shooting, archery, gundog scurries, fly-fishing, quadbike and trailer driving, stone skimming and axe throwing. Our thanks to sponsors Rathbones and Saffery Champness. The popular pub quiz at The Plough at Lupton in November, was enjoyed Dorset on target by more than 80 people with a brilliant auction, run by Bradley Thompson, helping to raise a he unique Inter-Shoot challenge fantastic £6,200. Thank you to sponsors Gilkes Hydro, Hewetson & Johnson and Oglethorpe, requires you to fire an airgun, work Sturton and Gillibrand. Look out for this year’s events including a shoot walk and pub quiz. Ta dog, drive a ‘Mule’ and complete a countryside quiz – not to mention a team Derbyshire & S Yorkshire flush, catapults and fly casting. Thanks to hosts Mr and Mrs Wurfbain, last year’s challenge in April was enhanced by a lamb Really Wild success and venison roast and raised funds for the GWCT and the Rainbow Trust. he Really Wild Dinner at Hassop A most enjoyable shoot walk was held A busy shoot walk in July on the Cranborne Hall in February was a huge success. at Wentworth in June, by kind permission Estate, was led by Tim Hall, Beau Witney and TThank you to all our auction donors, of the Fitzwilliam family and organised by Mike Swan, and included a lively debate on generous bidders and Stephen Salloway for Anthony Barber-Lomax and his team. Wet subjects from seed mixes to fox snares. Thank his auction prowess. weather didn’t deter guests who enjoyed you to Lord Cranborne and his staff. Auctioneer Stephen Salloway. a private view of the estate’s historic The unique Dorset Inter-Shoot Challenge. monuments and its work to re-establish the historically designed parkland and woodland. Also in June, chairman Mark Parramore and his team attended the annual Chatsworth clay day; the GWCT are one of the beneficiaries of this outstanding event.

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Gloucestershire (L-R) Tom Noest, Mark Ashbridge and Peter Creed at the venison dinner at The Little Bell. Essex Game dinners Walking in the ancient woodland at Gosfield wood, which the GWCT is aiming to restore to its pre-1950 state. estaurateurs Peter Creed and Tom Restoring Gosfield wood Noest have adopted the GWCT as Rtheir charity and are planning game rs Nina Fiske hosted the clay In July members visited Gosfield wood, dinners at their restaurants The Bell at day at Debden Hall in June. A bequeathed to the GWCT by the late Mrs Langford and The Little Bell at the Soho Mrecord 53 teams enjoyed some Diana Marcia Rothenstein. Under the guidance Farmhouse. The first of these was held at testing, imaginative stands. Moatwood 1485 of GWCT’s Roger Draycott, the aim is to return The Little Bell in November, with a theme served a delicious gin reception, while the ancient woodland to its pre-1950 state. of venison. There will be further dinners guests sampled Country Food Trust meals The Best of Essex raffle is selling fast. throughout 2020, culminating with a dinner by Duncan Clarke of Braxted Hall. With a For a chance to win nine guns to shoot and auction at the Soho Farmhouse in well-supported auction, the day raised more four outstanding drives on Hammonds Farm, September. Keep an eye out for future dates. than £36,000, including a donation to the Charity Farm, Great Hayes Farm, Gardens Air Ambulance. Thanks to sponsors SRC Farm, go to www.gwct.org.uk/bestofessex Hertfordshire Aggregates and other local businesses, and or contact Ed Rout by email to James Hamilton for a successful day. [email protected]. Outstanding ball GCUSA Hampshire ertfordshire combined forces with New York auction New year events Cambridge for a fantastic evening Hat the Sporting Ball, Burloes Hall in October. With more than 200 guests and raises £275,000 ith a refreshed committee generously sponsored by headline sponsors on board, several events are Hardcastle Burton, Savills and Tees Law, the he trustees and members of GCUSA Wplanned for the coming year. evening raised in excess of £20,000. The were fortunate to welcome GWCT A river walk is planned for June followed night started with a champagne reception, TChairman Sir Jim Paice and Lady by a GWCT Hampshire Country Fair and followed by a three-course dinner and Ava Paice to GCUSA’s 33rd annual New Gundog event to be held at Burgate Manor, auction. The Sporting Partridge Raffle was York charity auction in November at the Fordingbridge on Sunday 21 June. A hip flask also launched at the Ball with prizes including University Club. Jim Paice brought the challenge will be on the agenda for later in a double gun on a partridge day. Limited to assembly up to date on the urgency of the the year, including the opportunity to bid for 150, tickets cost £30 and are available from conservation challenges in the UK that are a selection of exciting auction items. [email protected]. being addressed by the GWCT. The audience was well primed for Hugh Herefordshire Hildesley of Sotheby’s New York, who deftly coaxed £275,000 from the auction enthusiasts. The successful bidders will be A masterclass in gundog steadiness enjoying the privilege of shooting days in Dorset, Northumberland and Wiltshire, erefordshire enjoyed a gundog demonstration at Bishops Wood House in generously provided by GWCT supporters. August, by Ben Randall of Beggarbush Gundogs. Ben who has won the cocker GCUSA is pleased to announce the Hchampionship on several occasions gave a very impressive display, using young dogs election of three new Trustees to its Board: to demonstrate the importance of starting training at an early age and how to achieve that George W Banks II of Jupiter Island, FL, steady dog all sporting people would love to own. Jeffrey J Keenan of Okeechobee, FL and Ben Randall’s gundog display focused on young dogs and the importance of starting training at an early age. William C Winget of Fairfield CT. Our spring outing will be held at the Pawling Mountain Club in Pawling New York on 16 May. Contact GCUSA at info@ gcusa.org for more information. Renew your membership using the reply card on the enclosed letter, or via www.gcusa.org.

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Lancashire Kent Levens challenge and dinner Kent on target

ancashire teamed up with Cumbria for WCT and the Demelza Hospice the popular Levens Team Challenge in Care for Children arranged another Lthe spring (see Cumbria section). Goutstanding clay day at Chevening in In October, more than £9,000 was raised May, raising £20,000. Richard Thomas of BTF at the very successful sporting dinner at Partnership then organised and sponsored a the stunning Inn at Whitewell, with guests great clay shoot and auction at Court Lodge enjoying a delicious game dinner followed Farm in June, raising more than £15,000. by Ian Coghill, former GWCT chairman, Godmersham Park was Kent’s shoot walk who regaled them with his informative and venue in July, by kind permission of Fiona entertaining sporting tales. The evening Sunley. Led by GWCT’s Mike Swan, shoot concluded with an auction conducted by captain Ben Palmer and head keeper Adam Jason Fildes. Thanks to hosts Charlie and Lou Horn, guests learnt about the improved Bowman and sponsors Savills and Brabners. habitat and wild bird mix feeding on the Future events include a clay shoot at estate on a perfect summer’s evening. Precision driving at the Levens Challenge. © Tom Sykes Claughton Hall, Preston, on Sunday 14 June. Lincolnshire Another Leicestershire & Rutland Dinner success busy year et again the sell-out Partridge dinner he quiz at the Crown Inn, at Washingborough Hall Hotel in Tur Langton in March, was YOctober, was a huge success. A Twell-supported with some huge thank you to all our sponsors – Streets, testing questions from quizmaster Thompson and Richardson, GFP Agriculture Will Young. and to everyone at Washingborough Hall We were then blessed with the Hotel for making the event so enjoyable and most amazing weather for the clay Clay shoot competitors at Prestwold Hall in May. such a success. Look out for our events this shoot at Prestwold Hall in May, with year, which will hopefully include a clay shoot. more than 20 teams taking part in for making the event so successful. Check a fiercely fought competition, professionally the diary for this year’s quiz and clay shoot. co-ordinated by Honesberie Shooting Thanks also to Lord Hazelrigg and his June evening, everyone enjoyed the tour, School. Huge thanks to our hosts the Packe- staff for hosting an interesting estate walk encompassing all aspects of the estate and its Drury-Lowe family and to all our sponsors at Noseley Hall. Despite the rather cold important history.

Norfolk Trust stalwarts recognised Henry Edwards

oger Draycott and the BGA’s Tom Tim Power masterminded the GWCT William and Eva Edwards very kindly Adams, spoke to a packed audience stand at the Royal Norfolk Show, kindly welcomed the Norfolk committee and Rat the spring meeting last March. sponsored by Durrants. Don’t miss out on friends to a drinks party at Hardingham Chairman, Henry Edwards, also presented the chance to win a unique day for eight Hall in October. Sir Jim Paice awarded treasurer Steve Bennington with an guns on five of Norfolk’s best drives in the chairman Henry Edwards a Life Fellowship in engraved glasses set in recognition of his Norfolk Big Five Raffle. Visit gwct.org.uk/ recognition of his huge contribution to the 17 years’ service to the GWCT. norfolk5 for details. Trust. Henry has served on the committee May saw the first golf day for many years, from its inception for 43 years and led as (L-R) Treasurer Steve Bennington and retiring chairman sponsored by Brown & Co, Strutt & Parker, Henry Edwards. chairman three times. Henry’s passion for the Electric Wheels and 15 others. A great day countryside and the Trust has been reflected finished with an auction raising more than through his monumental fundraising efforts, £5,000. Thanks to Tim Power and host but also his desire to provide a wide range Robert Barnard. of events with something for everyone to Roger Draycott led a fascinating shoot walk enjoy and learn more about the vital work at South Repps in June, at the invitation of Chris of the GWCT. We are pleased that Charlie Sladden and sponsored by Keepers Choice. MacNicol has taken on the role of chairman.

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Northamptonshire Northumberland & Durham Fantastic sporting opportunities

orthumberland & Durham are Win the ultimate wild sport weekend in holding a clay day on Thursday Northumberland, including grouse, pheasant, N25 June at Hulne Priory, Hulne roe stalking, duck flighting, rabbits, salmon Park, by kind permission of the Duke fishing on the North Tyne and an overnight and Duchess of Northumberland, with stay at the Lord Crewe Arms. Kindly donated Guests enjoyed a visit to Courteenhall. EJ Churchill operating the clay shoot. For by the Wanwood Shooting Syndicate, Willy £1,600 teams of four guns and four loaders Browne-Swinburne, Lady Cowie, Edwin Busy year ahead will enjoy breakfast, shooting at six varied Taylor, Jeremy Herrmann and the Lord stands, drinks reception, lunch, sporting Crewe Arms, and sponsored by GSC Grays t was a busy 2019 with the summer auction and raffle. For further information, and Womble Bond Dickinson. Tickets are drinks party and tour of the Arboretum please contact [email protected]. £20 each www.gwct.org.uk/wildsport. Iat Courteenhall, the clay day at Warren Farm, along with the shoot walk at Wakefield Lodge Estate. The committee Shropshire have been planning events for 2020 Thank you Tim including a talk at Heygates, a gala dinner, shoot walk and a series of pint nights, so it drinks party was held in November promises to be another busy year. Keep an at Leighton Hall, hosted by Camilla eye out for future dates. Aand Maco Corrie, sponsored by Savills, FBCMB and Handelsbanken and Oxfordshire Willo Game. Guests heard Professor Nick Sotherton warn against anti-field sport hysteria and champion the GWCT’s Farm walk research. Simon Scott presented a woodcock painting to retiring chairman, xfordshire held its wetland walk Simon Scott (l) and new chair Charlotte Marrison (r) Tim Main, for his tireless work including in September, by kind permission present outgoing chairman Tim Main with a woodcock spearheading the first GWCT High 4 raffle painting in honour of his work for the GWCT. Oof Daylesford Organic Farm. and fundraising more than £100,000. Thirty people toured the farm and wetlands, receiving an insight into its conservation Nottinghamshire work from Alastair Leake and Daylesford’s Tim Field. We are extremely grateful to Simon Clay shoots, walks and cookery Scott-White who is standing down as chairman after three years in the post ore than 20 teams attended the because of work commitments. Simon clay shoot at Widmerpool in April, has worked hard to establish a wider Mkindly hosted by Chris and Julia range of appeal for the Trust throughout Butterfield, and run by the ever efficient Oxfordshire and held a very memorable Honesberie Shooting School with a very dinner at Blenheim Palace with guest speaker amusing ‘trick’ shooting display by Mickey Lord Heseltine. We would like to thank Rouse. Thanks to our teams, sponsors, Simon for all his hard work and support. auction donors and buyers for making the event so successful. Thanks also to Robert Thomas Farms for hosting an informative estate walk at Blidworth in May. Led by Austin Weldon, some 50 guests enjoyed a wonderful evening looking at all aspects of diversification, renewable energy projects and land management for conservation. Around 70 people attended the delicious game cookery evening at the School of Artisan Food, Welbeck Abbey in November. Guests were taught how to prepare different game dishes by Michelin star chef Alex Bond and his team from the Alchemilla Restaurant. Alchemilla staff prepare for the delicious game cookery Competitors at Widemerpool clay shoot. Thanks to all our sponsors for their support. evening at Welbeck Abbey.

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Somerset Thank you to Ian and Sally Haddon

an and Sally Haddon have announced Trustee and sits on the lowland research their retirement from the Somerset steering committee. He and Sally will Icommittee after 20 years. Both have be sorely missed from the Somerset worked tirelessly for the GWCT – Ian was committee. Chairman Nick Evelyn calls them chairman of the committee from 2001- ‘irreplaceable’; the GWCT agrees. 2015 while Sally has been the driving force The winner of the Somerset Draw for behind many of the events. Among many Four shoot raffle was Jamie Strong from highlights, was having then agricultural Dawlish with ticket number 103 drawn by minister, Jim Paice, to speak to a crowd of Melanie Gibbs. The raffle raised £15,000 more than 300 at Taunton Cricket Club. and we would like to thank the generosity They were also very pleased to hold the of the four shoots Wood Advent, first Somerset ‘draw for four’ shoot raffle Triscome, Wood Vellow & Harwood Ian and Sally Haddon, who are retiring from the which raised nearly £20,000. Ian has also Farm plus Crowcombe Court for dinner Somerset committee after 20 years. chaired the membership committee, is a and accommodation.

Staffordshire Sussex Bagot’s Park success Breaking records taffordshire joined forces with nother record-breaking year raised Shropshire for a fantastic evening at more than £28,000 for Sussex. This Sthe Hales Estate, Market Drayton in Awas raised from the 37th shoot June. Host Alexander Hall revealed how evening and auction, followed by the clay wetlands created by his father 25 years day and a unique shoot walk at the Beech ago are attracting a wide range of rare Estate with its ancient wildflower and insect- and special visitors including curlew, green rich meadows. The final event of the year plover, oystercatcher and redshank. was the GWCT Sussex Four Shoot Raffle, The following Sunday, David Dale featuring four of Sussex’s premier shoots. organised a very enjoyable clay shoot at Thank you to our sponsors Charles Stanley, Bagot’s Park, Abbots Bromley. Teams were Strutt & Parker, CLM, Adams & Remers, invited to shoot on four flush stands and one Batchellor Monkhouse and Burgoyne Hallam. individual stand shooting 690 clays. A day of This year begins with the shoot evening at The Classy Clay Breakers (L-R Barbara Eckersley, challenging shooting around the estate was Amanda Burrow, Amy Bratt and Mandy Berrisford) at Clair Hall on Wednesday 4 March, followed followed by an excellent lunch. the Bagot’s Park clay shoot in June. by a shoot walk at Sutton Hall and a clay day at Northall Clay Pigeon Club in June. Suffolk A countryside celebration with Will Garfit

n February, guests enjoyed a countryside celebration with Will Garfit at Newmarket’s iconic Jockey Club, along with a variety of gunsmiths and purveyors of jewellery, gin, art Iand clothing, thanks to sponsors William Powell. ABF, The Soldiers’ Charity joined us again for the clay day at Euston in May. A record 40 teams competed on flush and competition stands including an exciting new Gnat stand. The Country Food Trust then talked about its vital work, by invitation of the Duke of Grafton. Thanks to sponsors George Bramley of Knight Frank and other local companies, Charlotte Harrison of the ABF and Ruth Elwood of Elwood Landscape Design for a successful day. David Watson hosted the shoot walk at Frostenden in June. David and Roger Draycott demonstrated Frostenden’s amazing conservation work while Trevor Oram’s talk about his Christmas tree plantation was a highlight. The evening was organised and sponsored by Tom Verrill of Birketts Solicitors. Ed Tollemache and his mother, the celebrated garden designer Xa Tollemache, kindly invited us to explore the beautiful Helmingham Hall gardens in September. Moatwood 1485 provided Helen Tinner

© a delicious gin reception, while Xa discussed the fascinating development of the garden. The Will Garfit at the Suffolk Jockey Club meeting. evening, sponsored by Knight Frank, finished with supper and a talk by Roger Draycott.

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SE Wales N Wales Shoot success

wenty teams took part in the clay shoot at Cefn Tilla Court in TSeptember, by kind permission of Rob Evans. Despite the weather, the teams enjoyed the testing layout created by Rob. Some fine food and a brisk auction, conducted by Roger Thomas, helped raise £8,000. Thanks to main sponsors Geldards LLP and Sinclair Land Rover, and supporter A winning sponsors Cooke & Arkwright, Holts Gun Auctioneers, DB Francis Ltd, Browne combination & Browne, Blue Storage/Maltings, NFU Bryn Williams warns guests that they all need to promote the benefits of eating game or risk losing it. (Newport) and Ashdown Construction. busy year included a fish talk by CBE, regaled guests with tales of their Wiltshire GWCT’s Dylan Roberts at Mostyn sporting past and were interviewed by AHall in March, a shoot walk at international Welsh rugby player Rupert Gwaenynog Hall, a fish talk at Rhug Hall, Moon. Bryn Williams then talked about and an informative woodcock talk by the importance of managing, promoting wildlife artist Owen Williams, thanks to and eating game with the clear message, Glynnlyfon Agricultural College. ‘If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it’. The The centrepiece was the fabulous award-winning bistro, game on the menu, sporting dinner in November at Bryn sporting heroes and fantastic guests proved Williams at Porth Eirias – the AA a winning combination. The evening was Restaurant of the Year (Wales). Speakers sponsored by Clwyd Agricultural, Dragon The fantastic Thruxton go-karting. Sir Gareth Edwards CBE and Lynn Davies Investment Managers and Savills.

Excellent end N Yorkshire to the year Four moors success hirteen teams competed for the top spot at Thruxton kart circuit in espite challenging weather The pub quiz at the White Bear, TSeptember, a perfect day weather- conditions, the Four moors day in Masham was a sell-out in November and wise for racing. Thanks to Henry Pelham for DOctober was a huge success. Kindly raised £6,500. Dingbats, smells, countryside his generosity, to all the staff at the circuit donated by the Wilkinson family, David knowledge and guessing the animal scats for making the day run so smoothly and to Ross, Olly Foster and George Winn Darley, were just some of the ingenious questions John Reynolds of Titan Property. Simon Cotton and his team had an amazing put together by Nick Barnard. Thanks to More than 40 people attended the drinks experience shooting grouse on the renowned wine merchant Jamie Goodhart (Bon Coeur party and auction in December, at the Bransdale, Rosedale/Westerdale, Egton and Fine Wines) and his team, sponsors Savills fabulous Casterley Barn with its stunning Spaunton moors with lunch provided by and Theakstons Brewery. views across the Pewsey Vale. Beanie Lizzie Rohan. Keepers Andrew Orr, Jimmy Forthcoming events include shoot walks, Davidson provided the canapés and with Brough, George Thompson and Murray a pub quiz, a clay shoot and the game the auction in the capable hands of Charles Wilson made sure the day ran smoothly and gourmet dinner at Swinton Park. Keep an Lucas, aided by some generous donations, kindly donated their tips to the GWCT. eye on the diary of events. £20,000 was raised for the Trust. A big The Four moors day in October was an amazing experience for all, despite challenging weather. © George Gunn thank you to Strutt & Parker and all the auction lot donors and buyers.

The stunning view across the Pewsey Vale at the Casterley Barn drinks party.

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W Scotland he popular dinner and auction at Òran Mór in Òran Mór raises £90k February again raised a new record amount, topping T£90k. Guests were treated to gin cocktails by Kinrara Gin and then, following a delicious dinner, were expertly taken through the auction by Angus Kerr. A superb evening was rounded off by one lucky guest winning a diamond in our Hamilton & Inches sponsored raffle. Thanks as always to our sponsors (RK Harrison, Turcan Connell, Macleod Letting, Graham Mackinlay Gunmakers), lot donors, ticket purchasers, committee and chairman David MacRobert, for their support. To attend this year’s event on 12 March

Grampian Scottish Auction Highland A game bonanza Auction returns Northern delight

he hugely popular Scottish Auction ames Macpherson-Fletcher and his took place last May, and raised more committee organised another superb Tthan £140,000 which is a fabulous Jdinner and sporting auction at The result. We’re looking forward to another Storehouse at Foulis in March. As always, tremendous event on 14 May this year, the food served by Quentin Stevens and sponsored once again by Pentland Land his team was exceptional and the variety The committee at the record-breaking dinner and auction. Rover, Saffery Champness and Rathbone of auction lots was of its usual high standard, Investment Management. For further including a walked-up day for four at ore than 150 attended the information please contact Angela Walker Ralia which included grouse, ptarmigan, sporting auction in April at [email protected]. pheasant, duck, partridge and two nights’ MLochter Activity Centre, helping accommodation. Brilliantly hosted by Sam to raise a record £43k. The guests were fed Ferguson, the auction helped raise more some of Scotland’s finest game-based food, than £17,500. Thank you to the sponsors including smoked goose, before sitting down RK Harrison and Saffery Champness. This to a diverse auction hosted by Andrew year’s event is on 26 March – don’t miss it. Dingwall-Fordyce. A Finzean McNab and silver cufflinks from Malcolm Appleby MBE E Tayside were just a few items up for grabs. Thanks to the sponsors RK Harrison, Miller Plant, Brewin Dolphin, Turcan Connell and Omni Surveys. Rory Cooper and his committee also hosted a fascinating shoot walk at the Scottish Demonstration Farm at Auchnerran Guests at the Scottish Auction (L-R) Chris Horne, Florence in August. Save 23 April for this year’s event. Dowsett, Clare Brownlow, Marina Gibson, Alistair Phillips.

Edinburgh & SE Scotland Thai green partridge curry was served at the dinner. Mark French triumphant again Auction raises a he Edinburgh & SE Scotland son Luke to the post. Thanks to Malcolm record £32k Committee had another busy year Leslie and his committee along with Psigma, Twith four events raising more than Gillespie MacAndrew, Corney & Barrow, he wonderful Guardswell Farm £10k. First was a relaxed drinks party in May Bruce Stevenson and Hampden & Co for was the new venue for the dinner at new chairman Malcolm & Georgie Leslie’s their generous sponsorship across the year. Tand auction in November. Guests home, Crookston House, followed in June had an excellent night and were treated Mark French (L) wins the hip flask challenge again. by a fun shoot walk at Cathpair Estate, to a delicious Thai green curry using local hosted by Mark French. partridge. The auction, superbly hosted by In September the Clay Pigeon Dugald Hamilton, raised more than £32k, Conservationists won the clay day at Bisley surpassing the previous record for the at Braidwood for a third successive year, region. Thanks to sponsors RK Harrison, while Mark French then won the hip flask Thorntons and Savills, the lot donors and challenge for the second year, pipping his guests, and Mike Clarke and his committee.

www.gwct.org.uk/events GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 41 | REGIONAL EVENTS - GET INVOLVED DIARY

Diary March to June We advise checking with the organiser before attending any of the events listed. For a full listing see www.gwct.org.uk/events

March [email protected]. Claughton Hall Estate, Claughton on Brock, Mike McKendry, Mike. 2 LONDON 15th anniversary Rory Cooper June [email protected]. Le Gavroche dinner and sporting [email protected]. 21 HAMPSHIRE country fair and auction, Le Gavroche, Eleanor 24 CHESHIRE clay shoot, West 5 ESSEX sporting clay day, Park Farm, gundog event, Burgate Manor, Usborne 020 7920 0110. Midlands Shooting Ground, Saffron Walden, James Hamilton Fordingbridge, Fleur Fillingham 4 SUSSEX shoot evening and auction, Hodnet, John Whitcliffe [email protected]. [email protected]. Clair Hall, Haywards Heath, Fleur [email protected]. 10 NORTH WALES river walk, 25 NORTHUMBERLAND/DURHAM Fillingham [email protected]. 25 DORSET Inter-Shoot challenge, The Llanrwst Anglers Club, River clay shoot, Alnwick Castle, Zoe Smith 5 ISLE OF WIGHT predation & Chitcombe, Dorset., Conwy, Rupert Bevan [email protected]. woodcock talk, Isle of Wight, Fleur [email protected]. [email protected]. 26 SUSSEX clay shoot, Northall Fillingham [email protected]. 25 DEVON Ugbrook clay day, 12 LONDON clay shoot in Clay Pigeon Club Fletching, Fleur 12 W OF SCOTLAND dinner & Ugbrooke Park, Chudleigh, partnership with Sportarm, West Fillingham [email protected]. auction, Oran Mor, Glasgow, Rory devon @gwct.org.uk London Shooting School, Eleanor Donaldson 07718 780700. Usborne [email protected]. 19 NORFOLK spring meeting, May 14 LANCASHIRE team shoot, Bawdeswell Village Hall, 2 CAMBRIDGESHIRE clay shoot, Bawdeswell, Charlie MacNicol Six Mile Bottom, Katy Davies [email protected]. [email protected]. 26 HIGHLAND dinner & sporting 7 SCOTLAND Scottish auction, auction, The Storehouse, James Prestonfield House, Edinburgh, Macpherson-Fletcher Angela Walker scottishauction@ [email protected]. gwct.org.uk. 14 NORTH WALES shoot walk, Hendre Farm, Llangernyw, Rupert April Bevan [email protected]. 18 POWYS clay shoot, The Rocks, 15 SUFFOLK clay day, Euston Hall, Stanage Park, Amanda Harris-Lea Thetford, Rebecca Gatens [email protected]. [email protected]. 23 GRAMPIAN sporting auction 21 LEICESTERSHIRE & Rutland clay and social evening, Lochter shoot, Prestwold Hall, Prestwold, Activity Centre, Oldmeldrum, Loughborough, Lottie Meeson,

Sophie Dingwall Eleanor Usborne Pippa Hackett Yorkshire (N,E &W), London Cheshire/Cumbria/Lancs/Staffs/ Northumberland/Durham [email protected] Shrops/N Wales [email protected] Tel: 0207 290 0110 [email protected] Tel: 07925 597676 Tel: 07880 359331 Fleur Fillingham Lottie Meeson Hampshire/Berkshire/ Rory Donaldson S Yorks/Derbys/Lincs/ IOW/Kent/Surrey/Sussex Edinburgh & South East Notts/Leics fﬁ [email protected] Scotland/West of Scotland/ [email protected] Tel: 07860 879377 West Tayside/East Tayside/Fife Tel: 07976 207113 & Kinross/Grampian/Highland David Thurgood [email protected] Lizzie Herring Cornwall/Devon/Dorset Tel: 07718 780700/ Essex/Norfolk/Suffolk Somerset/Bristol 01738 554822 [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 07885 897647 Tel: 07775 814262 We have an exciting Gay Wilmot-Smith Max Kendry calendar of events for 2020. Bucks/Cambs/Northants/ Glos/Herts/Worcs/Oxon/ If you'd like to get involved, Beds/Herts Wilts/Warks/S Wales [email protected] [email protected] please get in touch. Tel: 07501 064828 Tel: 07803 180957

42 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/events ‘Best National Wine Shops’

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www.gwct.org.uk GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 43 | IN SCOTLAND ROUND-UP

Research Denis Critchley-Salmonson A crucial boost A passion for snipe

for wildlife create the boggy areas, that occasional epic wisps of snipe were attracted, with more this winter than 600 being counted on one occasion. His family and friends have launched he EU Interreg North Sea Region a Trust in his memory with funds raised funded PARTRIDGE project aims to going towards GWCT research into snipe Tgive many farmland species a helping and their habitat. Although the GWCT has hand, especially during the colder months. already done some work, the next step Wild bird seed mixes, developed for the is to start tagging birds and monitoring project by Oakbank and Kings Crops with movements. This project is a great way to the GWCT, not only provide food for seed- remember Denis’ love and understanding of eating birds, but also contain broad-leaved the countryside. plants providing partridges, brown hares and The project aims to tag a sample of snipe other birds and wildlife with a place to hide Jane and Denis Critchley-Salmonson. A Trust has with GPS tags to track their migrations. when other areas are more exposed. been set up in Denis’ memory to help fund new Having learned a great deal from a similar research on tracking snipe migrations. We are constantly assessing the seed experiment with woodcock, the GWCT is mixes that we use and looking for ways confident that the work can be replicated to improve them. At the meeting of the hen Denis Critchley-Salmonson, with snipe, showing the timing, origins and EU PARTRIDGE project partnership in chairman of Caledonian Brewery, routes of migrant birds wintering in Britain. Göttingen, Germany in 2019, we discussed Wdied in spring 2019 he left a void The survey sites will be Dunsyre the successes and problems that farmers in the lives of many friends who had enjoyed and Auchnerran, the GWCT Scottish across Europe have encountered during so much sport with him over the years. His Demonstration Farm in Aberdeenshire, the project and came up with a number of passion was snipe and the habitat at Dunsyre where there is also a good population of possible solutions to help farmers and wildlife Estate, Lanarkshire was ideal, and his friends snipe. Tags cost more than £1,000 each get the most out of the habitat we provide. soon began to understand why the snipe and it is hoped to raise a minimum of These include different soil preparations, was such a special species. £10,000 for the fund. Please contact Andrew adapting seed mixes and cutting the blocks Brought up in Suffolk, Denis learned to Hoodless [email protected] for differently, providing a more mosaic-type love the wild game of that county. But it more information on the project or to habitat with more variety for wildlife. was on the bogs of Dunsyre, where he had make a donation contact Andrew Dingwali- In Scotland we have focused on encouraged farmers to put cattle out to Fordyce [email protected]. supplementary feeding for partridges and other farmland wildlife from October to March when food is scarce. We also undertook partridge and brown hare Schools art competition success surveys during the winter and spring at Balgonie, Fife and Whitburgh, Midlothian/ he GWCT schools art competition, the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative. East Lothian, our demonstration sites. now in its 17th year in Perth and The winners were Mateo Masserotti from Kinross, was won by Clara Holt Brook Midmar Primary for his drawing of a fox A grey partridge covey taking advantage of the T supplementary food put out at Balgonie. from Arngask Primary for her wonderful and Charlotte Reynolds from Aboyne for otter and Sana Javed of Kilgraston School her image of a puffin in the senior category. with her family of swans in the senior Joshua Simms of Torphins won the 50 best section. In a new addition to the competition words in the primary category with Oliv this year, Dottie Buchanan from Kinnoull Stephenson winning the senior award. won the 50 best descriptive words for the Clara Holt Brook and her winning otter picture. primary category with Hannah Braithwaite of Perth Academy winning the senior award. Thank you to sponsors Blackadders Solicitors, The Royal Highland Educational Trust and Julian Jardine Gallery and Workshop, and the support of Perth & Kinross Council. 2019 also saw the art competition expand into the Marr area, Aberdeenshire, sponsored by The MacRobert Trust with prizes donated by local artist Mel Shand and

44 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/scotland ROUND-UP IN SCOTLAND |

Public poll In brief

The public agree strongly that Scotland’s heather moorland is important in providing a valuable habitat for a wide range of biodiversity. Reaping rewards at Auchnerran 2019 WAS AUCHNERRAN’S first year in Scotland’s heather moorland the Agri-environment and Climate Scheme (AECS), which offers payments in return ith all the review and debate A lesser proportion (69%) recognised for implementing environmental measures, happening in Scotland the Scottish uplands as a source of which has allowed significant progress in Wover grouse moors, their healthy food. replacing our dilapidated fencing, much of management and other related issues, the A majority (73%) recognised Scottish it dating back to the 1960s. Now we can GWCT thought it was the right time to heather moorland as an important better control the movement of the sheep ask the Scottish public how they view what source of rural employment. and grazing pressure in various areas, and we is regarded as a national landscape asset. have access to a further 70 hectares (ha) or The conclusions to our poll, undertaken by Heather moorland is a managed landscape. so of rough grazing, which altogether puts the fastmap last summer, were unequivocal. It exists because of the work that is done farm in a much better shape for the future. That the vast majority of Scottish citizens by upland land managers to retain it, One of the key AECS options chosen is (89%) have either a positive or very whether through grazing or burning, but ‘wader grazed grassland’ (reduced stocking positive association between heather its main economic driver and the incentive density to protect wader nests) which moorland and the Scottish landscape. for investment in it and management of applies to 55ha of pasture in total, reflecting That a greater majority (92%) agree or it is grouse shooting. Take that away and the importance of Auchnerran for breeding agree strongly that Scotland’s heather the heather moorland that we have and waders. Other options we have put in place moorland is important in providing the benefits that it delivers by way of on the farm include ‘wild bird seed for a valuable habitat for a wide range biodiversity, food and rural employment, farmland birds’ (seed-bearing crop-mixes of biodiversity. will diminish too. that provide food for birds over winter), ‘forage brassica crops for farmland birds’ (providing invertebrate food and shelter), Draw ‘water margins in grassland fields’ (to buffer 2019 Grand watercourses from run-off) and some newly-planted hedges. The hedges comprise Grouse Draw a mix of species including goat willow, dog rose and hawthorn, which should provide he 2019 Grand Grouse Draw, which valuable food and shelter for a range of this year offered the prize of an wildlife, from nectar for pollinators to Texhilarating day in pursuit of driven nesting sites for pheasants. red grouse on the Roxburghe Estates in The 2019/20 shooting season hosted the Lammermuirs to be taken during the 10 fast-paced rabbit days and three mixed 2020 season, has been won by grateful species days that were again hugely popular GWCT member Mr Dawson, who said: with our guests. Merlin Becker’s infamous “I am delighted to be the winner of the activities. We all owe enormous gratitude ‘five B’ hot-pot rabbit stew and local 2019 GWCT Grouse Draw. In being lucky to all those who support the Trust, from refreshments ensured all our guests were enough to win this, it is impossible not larger gifts to the smaller regular donations. kept warm and watered. to reflect on the enormous generosity of I look forward to the day with gratitude to the late Duke of Roxburghe for his, and all those involved in the countryside and DATES FOR THE DIARY his family’s incredible gift of a day’s grouse the conservation of our precious wildlife and See page 41 for the Scottish round up of events. shooting to support the GWCT’s fundraising its habitat.”

www.gwct.org.uk/scotland GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 45 Gamewise General_Layout 1 31/01/2020 12:01 Page 1

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46 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk

13670_Gamewise Quarter Page Ad.indd 1 21/01/2019 15:30 ROUND-UP IN WALES |

Policy straight from the farm In brief

fter responding to the ‘Sustainable on a shared vision across large landscapes. farming and our land’ consultation in The most recent project is at Cors Caron, AOctober, we took Welsh officials out on farms neighbouring the 2,000-acre nature onto farms to discuss future funding and how reserve managed by Natural Resources it might work on the ground. We welcome Wales. We will be working with farmers to the Welsh Government’s commitment to demonstrate how to reverse wildlife declines co-production of the new scheme and are using our proven science. championing our three-legged stool approach; News from the Powys Moorland habitat restoration, predator control and Partnership SMS will feature in the next supplementary feeding in the winter, which Gamewise along with the new Camlad SMS is proven to reverse wildlife declines in just which has links with Curlew Country. three years. We are continuing to promote Farmers and Welsh Government officials discussing the benefits of our science and development future farming schemes at a dairy farm last year. work to help reverse biodiversity decline, so that they may become part of the next farming scheme which has the potential to deliver Advisor Matt Goodall is running training courses throughout Wales during 2020. significant outcomes. With our help another farmer-led group have Are you up to date with new legislation? been successful in joining the 50 MATT GOODALL, our Welsh advisor Sustainable Management Scheme delivered a range of training courses (SMS) projects that are now in last year to drive forward best practice place throughout Wales, which get predation control in Wales. This includes people working together to deliver the Welsh Police Wildlife Crime Officers, covering best practice snaring, updates to the Welsh General Licences and forthcoming legislative changes to tunnel Species suffer in licence debacle trapping. There are a number of training courses planned throughout Wales in 2020 WCT GWCT advisor Matt Goodall said: “At a which can be found at www.gwct.org.uk/ Wales time where species are declining across Wales wales. Practitioners need to be up to date Gdoes and scientific evidence demonstrates predation with the new Welsh General Licences, not support control’s role in halting and reversing these changing legislation surrounding tunnel the new Welsh declines, it is nonsensical that certain species are trapping (see page 59) and there is a big General Licences no longer offered the protection of GL004.” push from Welsh Government to quantify introduced by The new General Licences are also not code-compliant best practice snaring as Natural Resources authorised on a number of designated sites continued use of non-code compliant snares Wales (NRW) on which are listed on each licence. Those and bad practice threaten the future use of Changes to General Licences 7 October. There wanting to undertake activities previously snares in Wales. no longer offer protection to are a number permitted on the sites listed will need to green-listed species such as blackbirds. of changes to apply for an individual licence from NRW. MORE INFORMATION be aware of, Although the GWCT does not support Dates for the diary: which can be found at www.gwct.org.uk/ the new Welsh licences, it is essential that 18 April, Powys clay shoot, The Rocks, Stan- nrwreview. We particularly object to the those undertaking activities permitted by the age Park, Amanda Harris-Lea 07970 570137. changes in GL004 which no longer offers licences are aware of the changes and are 14 May, N Wales shoot walk, Hendre Farm. protection of green-listed species. fully compliant with them. 10 June, N Wales river walk, River Conwy. To book for the N Wales events please contact Championing biodiversity Rupert Bevan [email protected]. See page 42 for a full list of events and check WCT Wales continues to make strides forwards in Wales, pressing home its www.gwct.org.uk/wales for Welsh events. biodiversity message to Welsh Government officials, the farming unions and Gdeveloping opportunities with Bangor University, wildfire forums, NGOs and GWCT Director Wales: Sue Evans. Email: landowners. As an example we recently spoke at a commons gathering organised by the [email protected] or call 07977 908126. National Sheep Association to show that biodiversity can be hugely improved by following GWCT Wales, E Tyndall St, Cardiff, CF24 5EA. the GWCT's three-legged stool approach.

www.gwct.org.uk/wales GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 47 | REVIEWS ONCOMMENT THE MARKET Reviews Invasive Aliens by Dan Eatherley Game & lthough its title and cover might suggest otherwise, this is often Gatherings Aa tale of one species – humans – and its impact on wildlife. Gamewise by Rachel readers might be well-versed in what (or who) brought the Reeves muntjac Carrie to these shores, but there is something for everyone to learn in these pages. Dan Eatherley gives balance to the tale achel Carrie’s of species – both plants and animals beguiling story of – introduced to Britain and those Rhow she returned which were taken overseas, often as to the pot-hunting days a reminder of ‘home’. Much like the of her ferreting childhood, unintended proliferation of muntjac, after a spell of vegetarianism, is most refreshing. Here, we have little did the Shakespeare-loving an authentic hunter gatherer who is clearly connected to Mother ornithologist who brought starlings Earth, and who really cherishes all the delicious wild foods that she to Central Park expect to end up creating the continent’s most offers. When I first opened the book, the page fell to a recipe for abundant bird. A fascinating social history, particularly about those rabbit stew with nettle dumplings – an inspired dish and one of with a romantic ideal of what nature looks like. many that I shall most definitely be trying. £16.99 www.gwctshop.org.uk £30 www.gwctshop.org.uk

James Swyer, Press & Publications Manager Mike Short, Field Ecologist

New Manor & Co 12 bore shotgun

anor & Co is a new English gun company launched by Gerry Coulter, a keen sportsman with a background in aviation Mengineering and metallurgy. Gerry has come to the market recently with several new guns and the 12 bore over and under is the subject of the brief review here. This particular model is put together in France but includes German, multi-choked barrels and is London steel shot proof. Gerry is also working in association with makers in Italy and Spain, and is producing rifles as well as shotguns. First impressions of this new 7¾ pound over and under are good. The form is pleasing. It has a rounded action bar with sideplates, a single, non- selective, mechanical, single-trigger and a ventilated 6mm sighting rib (with a solid option). It is definitely a model ‘deluxe’, with subtle gold inlays, an extended trigger guard and steel cap to the grip. The level of finish – oiling of the wood and hand chequering – is well above the norm. The figure of the wood is particularly good too. Putting the substantial gun to the test on clays was a happy experience and I only missed the last target. It was a very pleasant gun to shoot, with good handling qualities and low felt recoil. The gun is not inexpensive at £20,000 (with other models from £7,000) but it impresses both with the level of finish and its performance. Every gun is bespoke, moreover. Any gun ordered by GWCT members will include a donation to the Trust, so please mention Gamewise. For more information please contact Manor & Co. www.manor.london/bespoke-shotguns 0207 9932 222. Each gun is bespoke, with the level of finish – oiling of the wood and Michael Yardley hand chequering – well above the norm.

48 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk CASE STUDY WORKING CONSERVATIONISTS |

Greening Welsh grassland

Denbighshire dairy farmer Ant Griffith says a new approach to agri-environment schemes could reverse wildlife declines

Farm Facts Location: Trefnant, Denbighshire Type of farming: Dairy Acreage: 1,500 (120-acre woods and 150 acres tenanted) Funding grants: None Conservation measures: Extensive grazing, hedge and tree planting, woodland management, pond creation, hay meadow reversion, cover crops, supplementary feeding, fenced off watercourses, unploughed field margins, tussocky grass and scrubland areas

Conservation in numbers 50 acres of fenced off rough grassland and scrub 16km of hedges managed for wildlife 3.5km of fenced off watercourses 15 ponds

www.gwct.org.uk/working GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 49 | WORKING CONSERVATIONISTS CASE STUDY

enbighshire them. He said: “Farming is dependent on being able to (Far left) For Ant dairy farmer Ant do things when the timing is right. We must give people Griffith, simplicity is key to conservation success. DGriffith believes the flexibility to manage their conservation areas well.” a fresh approach to The switch to grass monocultures in Wales has seen farmland conservation an increase in predator species that feed on worms in could reverse wildlife the soil such as crows and jackdaws, but has drastically declines in Wales. reduced the availability of food for smaller birds such He said: “The old as finches. To mitigate this, Ant sowed a field of spring agri-environment barley and left it unharvested. Frustratingly, the crop scheme, entry level was devastated by wireworm, but by late May it was Glastir, was discontinued re-drilled with a wider variety of seed to cater for a because it didn’t have greater range of birds. He said: “It has been a learning Joe Dimbleby is our the hoped-for impact, but it curve for us as we are inexperienced at arable. I think specialist writer was never farmer friendly. We this will be the same for many farmers in Wales and working in the must keep it simple to get farmers on good advice on cover crops will be essential.” communications team. board.” Ant runs the family’s 1,500-acre Plas Newydd Another aspect of the old schemes which Ant estate and is in a share farm agreement with his partner feels put people off, was the box-ticking culture that Rhodri Ellis who manages their organic dairy herd. No would instantly fine farmers for any deviation from pesticides or fertilizers, except for manure, are used, the regulations even if it was an honest mistake. He but Ant recognises that pasture alone does not provide said: “Towards the end of my agreement, I was fined the necessary range of habitats. He said: “Though we £3,500 because I failed to describe winter stubbles as a are organic, we have what you might call an ‘intensive’ secondary crop on the form and send in a copy of my system as our grass leys have only three species, are dairy contract, yet I had gone way beyond fulfilling my grazed hard and cut for silage so we need to work at conditions. They only backed down five days before my restoring biodiversity.” appeal hearing. I was saddened by the whole thing as it Agriculture in Wales is predominantly livestock based, seemed counter to the idea of a partnership.” so it is vital that future schemes are better geared to As well as the unnecessarily aggressive enforcement intensive grassland management than previous more hill- of bureaucracy, Ant is convinced more ‘easy wins’ would farm focused agreements. It’s harder make the schemes more appealing. for livestock farmers to create field We must give people the One of these could be paying margins as they need to be fenced “ farmers to cut hedges every two off, but Ant believes there are other ﬂ exibility to manage their years rather than every year, which ways of making space for nature: conservation areas well would hugely increase the amount “In the old scheme there was no ” of hedgerow fruit available to birds. option for fencing off corners of less Another simple measure being (Below left) Good advice productive land. The bits that I’ve done off my own back introduced on the farm is permanent pasture margins. on cropping could avoid failures such as Ant’s seed are now full of native plants and insects, so why shouldn’t This mitigates for the organic system, which requires mix, which had to be they be funded?” The farm has taken 50 acres of such grass to be ploughed and re-sown every 10 years to help redrilled. (Below right) land out of production. In addition, there are several keep weeds at bay. Leaving grass margins uncultivated Fifty acres of field areas of tussocky grass, which are lightly grazed by cattle allows the thatch of organic material that is home to corners have been taken out of production allowing in September and topped every three years. No longer insects to develop. Ant said: “Eventually I want us to wild plants and insects being in a scheme means Ant can decide when to cut have unploughed margins around every field on the farm. to thrive.

50 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/working CASE STUDY WORKING CONSERVATIONISTS |

Wildlife Highlights

The river has been fenced off to prevent erosion and slurry runoff. (Inset) One of several ponds dug on the farm to support greater biodiversity.

My partner Rhodri was sceptical at first but he’s coming off 50 acres, but if every farmer was supported in taking round to the idea.” five percent of their farm out of production, it could Fencing off watercourses to stop livestock damaging create a habitat network with a real chance of returning rivers is another ‘easy win’ for Ant. Through one of the some of the wonderful wildlife we have lost.” measures under the previous Glastir agreement, he fenced the mile of the River Clwyd which runs through the Working with farmers, Sue Evans, estate. The poor health of Wales’ rivers is why the Welsh GWCT Wales director Government is increasingly focused on protecting water GWCT research on its Allerton catchments from farm pollution and is offering grants to Project demonstration farm shows improve waste management systems. Plas Newydd has that even in a relatively intensive invested in a new slurry lagoon to avoid having to spread farming system, it is possible to muck at the wrong time. Ant said: “There is no justification increase biodiversity and food for polluting streams and rivers, we have to take production at the same time. The responsibility. Natural Resources Wales is rightly going science also shows that to boost bird numbers every to hammer those caught polluting, but really we need a leg of the three-legged stool of habitat, protection cultural shift where farmers want to avoid it because it’s from predators and food must be in place, which is wrong, rather than because they will be punished.” why in Wales where farms are mainly grassland, it Ant believes part of the reason why the farming is even more important to provide crops for birds culture is slow to change is a lack of understanding of through the winter and early spring. The dairy farmers the long-term impacts modern farming practices have at our soils and biodiversity event at Plas Newydd Bullﬁ nch on ecosystems and ultimately farm businesses. He said: were all keen to help the declining species they Tree sparrow Swift “Since the War, Government policy focused only on remember such as curlew, lapwing and hare. Improving Thrush production and so it is understandably deeply engrained the farmed environment for wildlife is something every Snipe Shelduck in farming culture. Farmers are much more likely to take farmer could easily do and it would have an immediate

© Francis D. Franklin, Laurie Campbell, JJ Harrison, Dick Daniels up conservation measures if they can see the reasons for and significant positive effect. We are working them, so it’s vital this information gap is bridged.” With with farmers in Wales to develop more suitable this in mind he recently hosted a day for farmers to visit schemes and talking to the Welsh Government about Plas Newydd and hear talks by experts from the GWCT. incorporating them into policy. As part of this we are Ant said: “We had some very positive feedback from the looking for partner farmers to help us demonstrate day. I think the penny finally dropped for many of those wildlife-friendly measures in the context of a working who attended that you can farm profitably while making a farm. We are also planning to build a network of real difference to the environmental health of your land.” volunteers to help measure biodiversity on farms and Ant is optimistic about the future, provided offer training for farmers to do surveys themselves. Government policy actively engages with farmers, schemes This citizen science approach has proved successful are adequately funded and advice is readily available. He through the GWCT’s Big Farmland Bird Count and is planning more permanent pasture margins and areas of Farmer Clusters where volunteers monitor barn owls, scrubland and wants to carry out a biodiversity assessment harvest mice and other species. It’s very rewarding to measure increases in wildlife. He said: “Everywhere for a farmer to hear praise from a conservationist you look the Welsh countryside is bulging with livestock. I monitoring wildlife on their farm. realise I am lucky to have enough land to be able to fence

www.gwct.org.uk/working GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 51 | FOCUSING ON LEAD BIODIVERSITY

Moving away from lead shot

Andrew Gilruth explains why a joint statement on the use of lead shot has never been more timely

lthough the debate around the impact of lead that 75% of the partridges that ingest lead shot will die as a (Top) Restrictions to shot on wildlife seems topical, it has been running result. The development of satisfactory alternatives to lead protect wildfowl have been in place for many Afor longer than you might expect. Mr J Hindle- shot was prioritised by manufacturers in 2009 after the years. © Peter Thompson Calvert raised his concerns about it poisoning pheasants International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation in The Field magazine as far back as February 1876. With (CIC), which represents hunting interests in more than more than a dozen investigations about lead ingestion 84 countries, requested that practical solutions are found. since, this is one of the vexed issues that has deeply With more focus on lead shot that ever before, a divided opinion. It is certainly a subject which concerned joint statement on future shotgun ammunition for live the GWCT’s director general, the late Dick Potts. Because quarry shooting has been agreed by BASC, Countryside grey partridges are believed to mistake spent lead shot for Alliance, CLA, GWCT, NGO, British Game Alliance and seed or grit, he published a paper in 2005 which estimated the Moorland Association. Andrew Gilruth is our JOINT STATEMENT director of communications and has been part In consideration of wildlife, the environment and to ensure a market for the healthiest game products, at of the team reviewing “ the scientiﬁ c evidence home and abroad, we wish to see an end to both lead and single use plastics in ammunition used by those of the impacts of taking all live quarry with shotguns within five years. The shooting community must maintain its place at the lead ammunition. forefront of wildlife conservation and protection, and sustainability in our practices is of utmost importance. It is 20 years since wildfowlers stopped using lead, and we believe it is necessary to begin a further phased transition. Recently, there have been significant developments in the quality and availability of non-lead shotgun cartridges and plastic cases can now be recycled. For the first time, biodegradable shot cups for steel shot, with the necessary ballistics to ensure lethality, are available. These welcome advances are continuing at an ever- quickening pace, in response to demand from a changing market. Such advances mean that over the coming years a complete transition is achievable. We are jointly calling for our members to engage in this transition and work with us, the Gun Trade Association and the cartridge manufacturers to ensure that further viable alternatives are developed for every DID YOU situation involving live quarry. This is an opportunity to take the initiative and ensure the reputation of the KNOW? shooting community, as custodians of the countryside, is both maintained and enhanced. ” Data from Denmark suggest CAN LEAD BE DANGEROUS TO WILDLIFE? that changing to non-lead ammuni- Yes. When any bird or mammal ingests spent lead ammunition by mistaking it tion does reduce for grit or foodstuffs, or by scavenging unretrieved shot quarry, it can result in environmental lead.

© Peter Thompson lead poisoning. In addition, animals that are shot but not killed may carry lead In Denmark, shot in their bodies and this adversely affects their wellbeing. Lead ammunition compliance with degrades very slowly and so may take several decades or longer to become unavailable to foraging wildlife. the ban on lead is Effects of lead poisoning have been documented extensively in waterbirds, and close to 100% and also in terrestrial birds including game and predatory species. In some species wildlife exposure has present in the UK, namely mallards, whooper swans (pictured right) and golden reduced, benefiting eagles, recent studies have shown effects at lower blood concentrations than the environment, previously reported. This development reflects conclusions that there is no clear the species and also threshold below which human health is not affected by lead exposure. the hunters.

52 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/leadshot BIODIVERSITY FOCUSING ON LEAD | Q&A What are the organisations calling for? for the wider live quarry shooting community to join Collectively we are calling for a phased transition away from the wildfowlers, who have used non-lead alternatives the use of lead shot in shotgun shooting for all live quarry. successfully for the last 20 years. We are also calling for the end of single use plastics in all shotgun ammunition. We feel that both goals are achievable Why is it important? within a five-year timeframe, allowing suitable time for the Lead has been progressively removed from substances, such industry to respond with new product development and as petrol and paint, because it is harmful to both human ensure adequate supply. health and wildlife. With wildlife in trouble, and suitable alternatives to lead shot cartridges increasingly available, we Why now? should transition towards better options. Recent technological developments have made non-lead ammunition more effective, more widely available and more To read the GWCT’s Lead – Your Questions Answered and a affordable. Equally, biodegradable wads are now a possibility. Q&A on moving away from lead shot and the alternatives These advances are continuing at pace and it is now time available, please go to www.gwct.org.uk/leadshot.

FIND OUT MORE For more information please contact Andrew Gilruth on 01425 651004 or email [email protected]. www.gwct.org.uk/leadshot

www.gwct.org.uk/leadshot GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 53 54 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk EXPERT ADVICE NEWS |

Shooting and conservation The latest news, advice and events

News GWCT shoots Around the shoots

Being there for gamekeepers, stalkers Brown hares. © Markus Jenny and ghillies. www.thegamekeep- Rotherfield Shoot erswelfaretrust.com The post-harvest wild game counts reflected the poor weather in June with a total of 63 grey partridges, 119 redlegs and 396 pheasants. The 600-tagged cock pheasant poults are released in Year of the Gamekeeper that history, and put the Trust August/September which allow us to hold 10 to 12 shoot days, with When everything goes well, on a firm footing for the future, a mixture of walked-up and driven days, along with three spaniel gamekeeping is a wonderful 2020 has been declared Year of days. The shoot season went well and we were pleased to see the profession, but if things go the Gamekeeper. Alongside a first pair of grey partridges in December, lots of hares and a good wrong gamekeepers and their fundraising target of £220,000, show of woodcock were also seen on the driven days. Along with families can be in a uniquely the Trust celebrates the role many areas of England, the very wet autumn with more than 555mm lonely place. Over the last of the profession in managing of rain since the end of harvest, has made it very difficult for drilling quarter of a century the our wonderful countryside. The winter crops on the farm. Let’s hope we have a drier spring. Gamekeepers Welfare Trust has ask is simple, do just one thing helped countless gamekeepers for GWT during 2020, and GWSDF Auchnerran Shoot and their dependants with please do not step back from With the successful establishment of the farm’s first kale crops in advice, counselling and grants your normal support of other 2019, the same game cropping programme will be adopted in 2020. in times of need. To celebrate charities in any way. This involves two Alba mixes for the shoot’s main covers, three Highland wild bird seed mixes and one species rich grassland plot, all kindly supported by Kings Crops. Rabbit fencing will be erected Game Farm Audit launched around the unfenced game crop plots and the existing netting The British Game Alliance specialists to develop the new checked for any breaches. The farm team will need to keep an (BGA) launched its Game Farm audit and Game Farm Standards, eye on our breeding wader nest sites as the cultivated game strips Audit in January with exclusive which have been written based create optimum nesting habitat, particularly for our lapwing and access to the first validated on the current code that Defra oystercatchers. Corvid control will be of paramount importance at Mycoplasma test for gamebirds produced, specifically relating this time of year as fox control is expertly handled by the grouse for BGA members. The BGA to gamebirds used for sporting keepers on the surrounding estates. Decoying rooks, jackdaws and has worked in conjunction with purposes. For more information carrions will be our main focus. the Game Farmers’ Association go to britishgamealliance. and leading gamebird veterinary co.uk/game-farm-audits. Allerton Project Shoot, Loddington We have counted game and wildlife on this site since 1992 and we urge all shoots to carry out monitoring as natural capital becomes yet another Look out for... buzz word to add to our dialogue with policy makers. Using independent third parties has much merit for demonstrating the benefits that good Our new BASIS Certificate in Game game shooting can deliver for wider wildlife. The end of the season signals Management – lowland (p59). There the start of woodland thinning and replanting to improve and maintain is currently no formal qualification for woodland habitat which also benefits migratory warblers. Our stewardship professional game managers, but this scheme expires in 2020 so we need to ensure that the new scheme new course is aimed at individuals delivers for wildlife and also provides a financial benefit. Stewardship plays who have responsibility for managing an important part for wildlife throughout the year, but many people shoots, including keepers, estate overlook the use of wild bird seed mixes and well chosen pollen and managers, land agents, landowners, nectar for holding and showing gamebirds. Integrating stewardship into shoot managers and shoot captains. our game covers delivers many benefits and a reduction in maize and www.gwct.org.uk/basisgm. associated species such as rats and corvids can only be a good thing.

www.gwct.org.uk/advisory GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 55 | HOW TO EXPERT ADVICE

Manor Farm Shoot CREATE A to-do list of - Mend fences GET ON top of your OUT AND ABOUT... - Fix water supply - Thin Big Wood things to fix or improve for - Order seed predation control, it will - Make hoppers next season so you can make - Count partridges pay dividends later in this spring - Book GWCT Biodiversity a plan for the summer. Assessment. the year.

Things Butterﬂ y habitat to do How to deal with TOP TIPS butterfly banks Butterfly banks pro- Adam McVeigh is a vide ideal breeding research assistant in habitat for butterflies our farmland ecology team who is keen to utterflies and moths are highly sensitive indicators and moths but be help landowners of the health of the environment and play practical, easy access improve habitats for Bcrucial roles in the food chain as well as being is key to maintaining butterﬂ ies and moths. © Paul Quagliana pollinators of plants. However, 76% of the UK’s resident and monitoring SPRING FEEDING IS crucial and regular migrant butterflies declined in abundance, the bank. to ensure your wild game and occurrence or both over the last four decades. Creating songbirds are fit and healthy a butterfly bank is an easy way to create ideal breeding heading into the breeding season. habitat for butterflies and moths. There is plenty of bare Feed until there’s plenty of natural ground, lots of food for caterpillars and multiple aspects food available, usually around May which can be advantageous for a variety of species. but sometimes as late as June. Tailor the bank for specific species by using caterpillar foodplants. For example, using bird’s-foot trefoil for dingy EVERY EFFORT SHOULD be skipper or kidney vetch for small blue. A butterfly bank 1 made to protect leftover birds also supports other animals by providing nectar resources Invert the soil by removing topsoil from the site from the season on your released for bumblebees and high protein caterpillar snacks for and place into a pile. Dig a narrower trench in bird shoot. Comprehensive farmland birds. Take time to plan the construction and the now uncovered subsoil and place the subsoil predation control in the early location of the bank – ideally it will provide an unshaded in a second pile. Fill the trench with the topsoil spring is vital to produce wild south-facing slope. Also, survey the existing habitat making and put the subsoil on top. Scrape around the stock and will also help to sure you do not destroy rare plants or archaeology. bank so it is above ground level. protect other farmland birds and hares in the breeding season. FIND OUT ARE YOU UP to date with the MORE changes to legislation affecting For more advice predation control in your ring 01425 651013 country? Join our predation (England/Wales) control courses across the UK or 01738 551511 to receive the latest training on 3 (Scotland) predation control law and best 2 Sow seeds of locally-sourced plants which www.gwct.org.uk/ practice to ensure you’re fully Cover with calcareous aggregate. are caterpillar food and adult nectar sources. advisory compliant and getting the best If you have surplus, place some Supplement the bank with plug plants throughout results for your efforts (see p59). encompassing the bank. the year as appropriate.

COULD YOU INCREASE the amount of non-woodland drives your shoot delivers? Start planning your game cover, making alterations or creating new drives. This could give you some early season shooting, 5 resting the woodlands until 4 Monitor butterflies that are using the bank. Either count later in the year and providing Manage by removing vigorous weeds, periodically the adult butterflies on a sunny day or carry out timed- additional food and cover for cutting dense vegetation on a rotation and by adding egg counts. This will monitor the effectiveness of the other wildlife. more aggregate. bank as breeding habitat for butterflies and moths.

56 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/advisory EXPERT ADVICE WILDFLOWER MARGIN |

KEEP FEEDING. Move hoppers HAVE A quick tidy up. The REMEMBER TO count to areas of good nesting cover aesthetics of your shoot your grey partridges and where male pheasants are can influence how the locals submit your data to the defending territories. view shooting. Partridge Count Scheme.

Biodiversity

DID YOU Creating the ultimate... KNOW? New research has shown that we wildflower margin need to include more plant species, including weeds, to John Holland is our support wild bees head of farmland ecology and has than traditionally carried out many thought, so leaving years of research into scruffy areas or different farming allowing weeds to systems, cover crops and beneﬁ cial insects. survive in the crop also has value. Top weeds include bris- tly oxtongue, corn poppy, charlock, hese days farmers face many pressures including producing food dandelions, dead sustainably and using more natural ways of controlling pests now key nettles (lamium Tinsecticides have been banned. Planting wildflower margins can help species), perennial as they support pollinators and natural enemies of pests, sequest carbon sow-thistle, smooth and brighten up the landscape. However, they can be tricky to establish and hawksbeard, scent- manage, so here are a few basic principles that can help. less mayweed and Location: Select sites that don’t have existing noxious weed problems. bindweed. Hedge- Less fertile soils are better at discouraging grasses that can quickly swamp row plants should broadleaved plants. Choose sunny spots away from woodland with hungry also be encouraged deer and sow wide areas to avoid ingress from the edges. such as hogweed, Seed choice: Mixes can be designed to support bumblebees, natural angelica, wild pars- enemies of pests and parasitic wasps (www.gwct.org.uk/flowersforbees). nip and primrose. Select plant species appropriate for the soil type and climate; seed companies can tailor mixes to your conditions. If plants already occur on the farm, this is a good guide to their likely successful establishment or source local green hay as another option. Grasses can be included but usually establish anyway. Establishment: Having too thick a cover of weeds can prevent wildflowers establishing. To reduce their density, repeat the process of cultivating and letting weeds emerge before broadcasting on to a fine seedbed then roll. Sow when warm and into a moist soil, which can be March/April or August/ September or in-between avoiding dry periods. Seed companies can advise on seed rates for the site conditions. Management: Mow to 4-5cm several times during the first year as soon as annual weeds start to dominate, though not if yellow rattle has established. Remove cuttings if there’s a lot of debris or mow more frequently and leave them. In following years cut annually – July/early August is best to encourage flowering plants. Avoid cutting all areas at the same time to ensure that flowers are constantly present. Removing the cut vegetation is critical otherwise the debris will smother those carefully nurtured and expensive wildflowers. Once a few areas have been successfully established then the green hay can be used to establish new areas. For a specific list of flowers and a guide to habitat creation and management for pollinators see www.gwct.org.uk/flowersforbees. © Peter Thompson

www.gwct.org.uk/advisory GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 57 | SPECIES SPOTLIGHT EXPERT ADVICE

Yellowhammers Focusing on BFBC yellowhammers

Austin Weldon is our advisor for central England and is keen to explain how habitat changes can help yellowhammers and many other species. © Dave Kjaer Barn owl

© Dave Kjaer Habitat: Barn owls prefer a mixed farming habitat with spinneys, ditches, rough pastures and well- ale yellowhammers are They are found across the UK but prefer a managed field margins. Grassland makes good unmistakeable with a bright yellow mixed farming landscape with well-managed hunting ground, along with hay meadows. They are Mhead and underparts, brown back hedgerows and scrub. In winter they favour often found around farm buildings, barns and the streaked with black and a chestnut rump. They winter stubbles, natural regeneration, game edge of villages. A breeding pair of barn owls needs are often seen perched on top of a hedge or cover, livestock farmyards and feeding stations around 1.5 hectares of rough grass. bush singing, but its recent population decline, where grain cleanings have been left out for Food: Short-tailed field voles are the preferred prey 59% over 50 years, make it a Red-List species. finches, sparrows and buntings. species, making up to 60% of their diet. Barn owls will also hunt for mice, shrews, small rats and birds. Nesting: Barn owls will breed from April to August, and a second brood may be reared when food sources are plentiful. A breeding pair will use the same nest site year after year if undisturbed. The female lays four to seven white eggs in an unlined hole of a tree or barn. They will nest in good owl boxes that are a sufficient

© Peter Thompson 1 2 3 size, in a good habitat location and draught-free. Manage open landscapes to Provide supplementary winter Manage ground predators Song/call: ‘Shreeee’. A shrill, hoarse shriek, often provide low thick nesting food, such as cereals from either and corvids to help improve repeated. The begging call of young is more wheezy. cover, such as tussocky wild bird mixes and/or feeders, productivity. Yellowhammers grasses and shrubby and insect-rich habitat such as nest close to the ground in short Beneficial management vegetation. Laying hedges and field margins and unimproved dense hedgerows, field margins, Maintaining and creating field margins will fencing out stock is beneficial. grasslands for brood-rearing. scrub and woodland edges. provide good hunting areas. Areas of uncut grass for a year or more will hold good numbers of prey species. DID YOU KNOW? Unfertilized grass, buffer strips and rough grazing will also provide excellent hunting grounds. The rendition of the Retaining old, mature trees will provide prime familiar song of the nesting opportunities. Also consider putting up yellowhammer as a nest boxes in prominent trees or farm buildings. ‘little bit of bread and no 4 5 Barn owls can be vulnerable to rodenticide cheese’ was made popular Delay cutting of margins and Adopt a range of trimming poisoning. Care must be taken when baiting. by Enid Blyton in her hedges until as late as possible styles and hedge types. Maintain children’s novels. given that they are a late nester. some short dense hedges and MORE INFORMATION They breed from early spring allow others to develop into Farmers and gamekeepers are vital in helping to through to late August taller, untrimmed features. ensure the future survival of many of our most (L-R) Whitethroat, brown hare, corn bunting, Essex skipper, grey partridge. (© Dave Kjaer/Peter Thompson). cherished farmland bird species, but frequently their efforts to reverse bird declines are largely THIS WORK unrecorded. We believe our Big Farmland Bird ALSO Count will help remedy this. www.bfbc.org.uk BENEFITS: BFBC is sponsored by

58 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/advisory EXPERT ADVICE TRAINING |

New industry Training standard Tackling challenges at GAME 2020 courses NEW - BASIS Certificate in Game Management - Lowland 10 March/7 July • Allerton Project, Loddington Leicestershire • £685 This new certificate is designed to encourage best practice across the game management sector, while providing qualified individuals with a professional accreditation that demonstrates assurance of high standards of practice to employers, customers and the general public. Aimed eing up to date with the challenges game shooting faces has never been more at everyone running a shoot, the three-day important for our community. For the third year we will be running our annual game training course will include various modules Bmanager’s conference, this year in Shropshire on 1 April for the benefit of both covering predation control, gamebird English and Welsh delegates. Each year we choose topics which are relevant to the shooting releasing, shoot and land management, game community to ensure the audience is updated by industry leaders. This year’s talks will cover crops and industry regulation. lead shot, best practice management from a veterinary perspective, an overview of the www.gwct.org.uk/basisgm 01425 651013. challenges game shooting faces, AIHTS and trapping (see below), General Licences and the ecological impacts of pheasant releasing. This is your chance to meet industry experts and Short courses ask important questions around the future of game shooting. Tickets are £45 per person Our certified training courses can be and available online www.gwct.org.uk/game2020. organised for gamekeepers, land managers and other professionals. These cover the latest developments in snare and corvid trap use, tunnel trapping, night lamping, Loss of Fenn trap from 1 April heather burning, grouse health and disease control and are designed to provide the are also expecting the approval of a trap user with a full understanding of best manufactured by Perdix Wildlife Supplies, practice and legal requirements. the PX3 although it is very unlikely that 9/10 March • Glenlochy Estate, Morayshire this trap will find its place on an amended 7 April • Amulree Village Hall, Perthshire Spring Traps Approval Order by 1 April. 8 April • tbc, Morayshire We strongly advise all trap users to carefully 9 April • Hopetoun Estate, East Lothian read the comprehensive information on For more details and to book please our website, along with the relevant Spring visit www.gwct.org.uk/scotland/events. New traps are needed to target stoats from 1 April. Trap Approval Order for the country where they will be operating and their 2018/19 GWCT & BASC Shooting Syndicate Course rom the 1 April 2020 the Agreement Amendment. This is an opportunity both to 2 May • Loddington, Leicestershire • £100 on International Humane Trapping embrace a significant improvement in trap www.gwct.org.uk/shootcaptain. FStandards comes into full force humaneness, and to re-evaluate how we throughout the UK making it illegal to target use traps to best advantage. The continued Scottish Young Shooters Day stoats with Fenn-type trap designs, Magnums, use of trap designs contrary to the new 22 July • GWSDF Auchnerran, Aboyne, WCS tube traps and Kanias. Traps which regulations represents a serious reputational AB34 5PT • £50 meet the new requirements include the risk to the shooting community. For youngsters aged between 12-15. Tully, all DOCs and GoodNature A24. We www.gwct.org.uk/aihts. www.gwct.org.uk/youngshots 01738 554821.

Part-time Keepers Course Worried about managing your shoot? 11-13 September • Loddington, Leicestershire • £420 inc. VAT You don’t have to get in a ﬂ ap Whether you’re an amateur or professional keeper, our three-day course provides practical The GWCT advisory team runs courses on: advice and guidance on game management • Best practice predation control • Identifying farmland birds and will make sure you leave with new • Sustainable management of pheasants • Managing woodlands ideas. Topics will cover rearing and releasing • Grey partridge conservation • Shoot biodiversity pheasants and partridges, growing game crops, predation control, woodland management, Get the latest advice ﬁ rst by signing up to our shoot management feeding regimes and much more. newsletter at www.gwct.org.uk/shootownersnl www.gwct.org.uk/ptkc 01425 651013.

www.gwct.org.uk/advisory GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 59 | JUST FOR YOU MEMBERSHIP

Sign up your Members syndicate and 86% The results are in are happy or very save 20% happy with their ildlife management, to improve the way we get GWCT membership ARE YOU part of a shoot predation control our message out to the media syndicate? If so, you can sign Wand wader research and one in five saying that we up as a syndicate and receive were the main topics of interest could improve our accessibility premium membership for just in the GWCT membership to ‘ordinary’ shooters. We have 20% £79 each – provided eight or survey. More than 1,600 of you taken this on board in recent attended a talk or more of you sign up. You can sent in a response, which helps years with informal roadshow roadshow in 2019 download an application at us to understand the issues that events costing just £10 and a www.gwct.org.uk/syndicate matter to you. greater variety of events, courses or contact our membership Despite 86% of members and more online communication 74% team on 01425 651024 or saying that they are either available free of charge. would like us to do [email protected]. happy or very happy with the The winner of the prize draw more research into membership, there is still room was D Jarman from Somerset, wildlife management for improvement, with a quarter who wins a pair of Seeland of members feeling we need Buckthorn trousers worth £89.99.

Legacies Gun legacies raised more than £22,000

e are continuing to or allow the charity to benefit in confidence about the process Draw winners work with Holts by having Holts sell it on their and the best way to proceed. WAuctioneers to offer behalf and donating part or all Please contact Daniel O’Mahony announced a solution for what to do with of the proceeds. by email domahony@gwct. your guns when they are no This option is also available org.uk or 01425 651060. THE WINNERS of the 2019 longer needed. In most cases to supporters simply giving up Holts Auctioneers, long GWCT Gun Draw were: guns and sporting items are left shooting or who have a gun that standing GWCT trade members, 1st prize: Peregrine Moncrieffe. to a family member or sold by is no longer used. Quite often are pleased to give preferential 2nd prize: Ryan Lane. Executors with the proceeds this allows the GWCT to claim rates to anyone wishing to do 3rd prize: John Donald. becoming part of the estate. Gift Aid on the proceeds. this and will also include an Mr Moncrieffe – a long-time Sometimes people choose to If you are interested, we appropriate note (if wanted) in supporter of the Trust – was bequeath guns to the GWCT would be happy to talk to you the lot description. delighted to win a pair of guns and a day’s driven grouse shooting worth £25,000. He noted: “The contribution of the GWCT Only GWCT to the conservation of rare habitats and vulnerable £10 species represents a cause Roadshows dear to my heart. My success in this draw, like my shooting, is are back 2019 AGM down more to luck than skill. News in brief OUR ANNUAL GENERAL meeting will I am fortunate and delighted to Wednesday 11 March - Knaresborough, North Yorkshire take place on xxxxxx at our headquarters at Thursday 12 March - Chesterﬁ eld, Derbyshire win this outstanding and timely Red squirrelTuesday conference 24 March launched - Farnham, Surrey Fordingbridge. Members are entitled to attend prize, so kindly donated by ‘TURNINGTuesday the tide’ 31 is March the title - Taunton, of a new Somerset red the AGM as observers if they wish. Please contact William Powell.” squirrel conferenceThursday taking 2place April in- London Exeter Teresa Dent on 01425 651001. The runners-up won a full this April.Wednesday GWCT 6head May -of Cirencester, predation Gloucestershirestudies, Thursday 14 May - Royston, Hertfordshire William Powell tweed shooting Jonathan Reynolds will be speaking about what suit and an embossed leather he feels grey squirrel control can achieve on gunslip and cartridge bag the UK mainland, alongsideBook talksnow from at Keith respectively. To enter our Cowiesonwww.gwct.org.uk/roadshows of Songbird Survival, Dr Craig 2020 draw, please visit Shuttleworthor and call others. 01425 Tickets are651021 available at www.gwct.org.uk/draw. www.redsquirrelconference.co.uk.

60 | GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 www.gwct.org.uk/membership Specialised Gamebird Veterinary Team

• Experienced team of gamebird vets • 24/7 Nationwide service • Dedicated laboratory for rapid results • Large practice pharmacies for medication & supplements Practices in Edinburgh, York, Preston, Chester, Loughborough, Hereford, Shrewsbury, and Leominster. New practices for 2020: Gloucester, Norwich, Stirling, and Aberdeen. For more information, call us or visit our website: 01347 820366 poultryhealthservices.com

Project1_LayoutAT THE CUTTING 1 16/07/2014 EDGE OF 13:20 AVIAN Page VETERINARY 1 PRACTICE

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Devilled kidneys

Mike Short shares his passion for food and foraging in the countryside

he classic deerstalker’s breakfast consists of the A classic stalker’s breakfast – devilled kidneys on toast. Tdeer’s fried liver, perhaps with a fried egg, and delicious it is too. I am a big fan of “Although the sweet and silky eating offal, especially liver and kidneys, mainly for their unique texture of a pan-fried venison liver is Mike Short is our senior flavour but also out of a mark of rightfully hailed as food for the Gods, ﬁ eld ecologist specialis- respect for my quarry, by using ing in mammal research. all the edible meat. A rule of I love eating the kidneys too” He is passionate about thumb for eating the stalker’s harvesting wild food, and here shares his enthusi- perks, is that they’re so much asm for tasty ingredients better when eaten super-fresh, found in the great preferably within a day of the Probably needless to say, and cut out the whitish core. Slice British countryside. deer’s demise. If you can’t eat that the size of a deer’s kidneys each kidney half into quarters. the liver and kidneys before varies according to species and 3. Add a splash of olive oil and that, my advice is to either age. The quantities below are a knob of butter to a hot frying freeze them for later use, for an adult fallow doe; if you pan. Let it melt and then fry the after you’ve put your rifle are using kidneys from a smaller kidneys for a minute, tossing away, or give them to someone deer, like a muntjac, adjust them around in the hot fat until who appreciates delectable accordingly or your dish will be they have browned. DID YOU KNOW? wild meat. a bit on the ‘saucy’ side. 4. Add the sherry, followed by Although the sweet and silky the sherry vinegar and deglaze Kidneys are an excellent texture of a pan-fried venison the pan. Quickly stir in the chilli source of protein and very liver is rightfully hailed as food Ingredients (serves one) jam until it melts away and rich in iron. for the Gods, I love eating 2 fallow deer kidneys then add the hot paprika. Give Rich in nutrients and pro- teins, kidney meat contains the kidneys too. Some people Olive oil and butter everything a good stir and let it omega 3 fatty acids. It is freeze them, saving them up for 50ml dry sherry bubble for another minute. By also known to contain anti- a venison steak and kidney pie, 1 tbsp sherry vinegar now, the kidney pieces should inflammatory properties and but I find that long stewing can 1 tbsp chilli jam be cooked through, but check to be good for the heart. leave kidneys a tad rubbery for 1 tsp hot paprika powder that they are. To ‘devil’ is an early 19th my liking. Instead, I like ‘devilling’ 2 tbsp crème fraîche 5. Take the pan off the heat. Century culinary term, them in a rich and piquant Salt and pepper Add a good pinch of salt and a meaning to cook something sauce, and serving them on a Good bread, for toasting twist of black pepper and stir with fiery hot spices. thick slice of toast for a twist in the crème fraîche until you Some chefs like to soak on the classic stalker’s breakfast, Method have a consistent velvety sauce. kidneys in milk for an hour or for a light supper if you are 1. Toast a thick slice of your Spoon the devilled kidneys over before cooking, to lessen out stalking towards the end of favourite bread and keep it warm. your toast, and there you have their distinctive taste. the day. 2. Halve both kidneys lengthways it. Savour the tang.

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www.gwct.org.uk GAMEWISE • SPRING 2020 | 65 THE FINAL | INTERVIEW - ADAM STEED COMMENT WORD

Research in practice Adam Steed is passionate that we all need to play a part in wildlife recovery and celebrate the great work done by farmers, land managers and gamekeepers

art-time gamekeeper Adam What’s your proudest achievement? Steed showed that hard work About Winning the East Anglian Grey Partridge Pand passion pay off when he Award in 2019 was a huge compliment. I scooped the coveted East Anglian Adam have been working hard to restore partridge Grey Partridge Award last year. Adam’s numbers on the estate for some years, so to conservation efforts, including providing win this award was very special. particularly good all-round habitat, have seen numbers of grey partridges soar at What advice would you give to someone who Red House Farm, Bacton, from four spring wants to be a part-time gamekeeper? pairs in 2012 to 28 pairs in spring 2019, Follow GWCT best practice advice. Whether with an autumn count of 92 young from you are controlling predators, releasing birds or 16 coveys. A PE teacher by day, Adam has feeding, you have a responsibility to do things been gamekeeping at Bacton for the past in a professional manner. People could make 10 years, running shoot days and carrying a judgement on all gamekeepers based on out conservation work to encourage wildlife. what they observe on your ground. I have also sought advice from some fantastic keepers What motivates you? so don’t be afraid to pick up your phone. Doing a job well and making a difference. One of the great pleasures of gamekeeping Steed in a minute How important is it to show what can be is seeing first-hand the difference you make. Favourite food? Baked ham. done on a small-scale shoot? When I visit the combined fields on a late Last book you read? Memoirs of For farmland wildlife to recover on a landscape summer’s evening and the young partridge a Gamekeeper. scale, everyone managing land must play a part. broods take to the wing, it reminds you why How do you relax? Have a cup of tea and Although we are a small shoot, we certainly you put all that hard work in. watch the football. punch above our weight in terms of the value Favourite place? Australia. we add to biodiversity. All the work we do is for What’s the best advice you’ve received? Most inspirational person? the love of the countryside, often sandwiched Play the long game. Educate and work Sir Alex Ferguson around a day’s work with no financial gain. with people as much as you can. Galvanise Favourite bird? There are hundreds of small shoots across relationships with the farmers, estate workers, No competition. the country doing excellent work, and we neighbours and walkers where at all possible. The grey partridge need to share this message with the public. Putting up barn owl boxes on the farm and inviting people to watch us ring the owlets Follow Adam Why should people support the GWCT? has become an annual event. Engaging people on Twitter: The GWCT are the gold standard research

is key to changing attitudes and developing @magicmagpie34 organisation. Without its scientific research, the © Dave Kjaer their understanding. You will never win General Licence challenge could have been a everyone over but you can lead by example. great work done by farmers, land managers disaster for agriculture and wildlife diversity. and gamekeepers. I try to present a positive This is a prime example why we must Can social media help to show the real message on Twitter and highlight how shooting continue to canvas support for the Trust from conservation story in Britain? and conservation go hand-in-hand. Social fellow fieldsports enthusiasts. Complacency to Most certainly. Estimates suggest more than a media is an instant way of communicating, communicate the benefits of shooting could third of the world’s population is using some but taking time to consider other views lead to more than the extinction of our sport, form of social media platform. That means and letting emotions settle is an important it could lead to an extinction of experience, there is a worldwide platform to celebrate the discipline when using these platforms. from which wildlife would never recover.

Gamewise is published three times a year and is sent to members of the Trust free of charge. The appearance of an advertisement in this or any other Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust publication does not imply the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s approval of the product or service in question. The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 05579632, registered charity number 1112023. Registered Office: Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1EF Tel: +44(0)1425 652381. Email: [email protected] Web: www.gwct.org.uk Game & Wildlife Conservation Trading Ltd is a company limited by guarantee (registered no 1503620, VAT Reg No 323 7013 94) which carries out trading and advisory activities and some fundraising events for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. Registered in England and Wales. Registered Office: Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1EF. Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust © 2020 MPUBGCT-GmWs03/20. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.

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