Report shows grouse shooting is key to moorland conservation

This week the GWCT, along with their partners Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB, Natural England and Buccleuch, released their report on the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project. In case you’re not familiar with the project, it was a 10 year study which aimed to test the win: win theory of grouse moor management, where both commercial grouse shooting and breeding raptor populations could co-exist. The four ‘deliverables’ were to demonstrate how to resolve conflicts between moorland management for raptors and red grouse; to maintain the hen harrier population; extend and improve the heather moorland habitat; and shoot sufficient red grouse to ensure a financially viable future for the moor.

Not a choice between grouse and raptors

Photo credit: Mollie Lord

You can read the full report online, but the important conclusion is that there is not, in the words of Teresa Dent, chief executive of GWCT, “a binary choice of red grouse or birds of prey, but that both need to be balanced if we value our moorlands and their ecosystems.” She added that once grouse numbers fall below a harvestable surplus it is not only hard to recover grouse numbers to the point that shooting can recommence, but that the “reason for investment in the management of the ecosystem is lost,” further jeopardising biodiversity.

Heather moorland needs game management

Photo credit: Mollie Lord

The report demonstrates that conserving and preserving heather moorland habitat relies upon good game management, since this activity not only promotes grouse, but the entire ecosystem. At a time when shooting – and especially grouse shooting – is under great scrutiny, it is long-term research like this that provides the simple yet effective counter-arguments that will ensure that the sport we all love can continue long into the future. We hope that you will read the report, as it makes for fascinating reading and could spark some interesting debate in the field and in the pub this weekend.