Much as I have a congenital hatred of the hunting brigade, there is in my mind, no doubt that they bring economic benefit to upland areas. Without them, most moorland could not be economically managed, plus they provide jobs in areas where there are very few. What we must insist on, is that the land is almost managed for other wild life. It is a disgrace how few Hen Harriers raise chicks on English moorland, although much better in Scotland. Follow the rules, or no shooting.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
Exactly. No need to shoot/trap or poison everything that might eat a grouse. Surely possible to provide access for nature lovers to pay to observe wildlife outside the hunting season if managed with access paths and hides so they don't disturb breeding pairs.
There's a nature reserve near here that has a well built hide on stilts in marshland. Access is via a board walk with high fenced sides so you can't get out or even see very much except thru purpose built holes. The hide is large, multi-angled for various viewing points, has 18 adjustable telescopes fixed above the viewing platform and visitors pay a one-off or annual fee to observe marshland birds and creatures going about the business of feeding, breeding, raising young, migrating.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
BBC Wildlife Magazine: Delivered in paper envelope, 2 bits of relevant junk mail, a smattering of adverts included inside.
BBC Gardeners' World Magazine: Still comes wrapped in plastic despite assurances that alternatives are 'being explored', stuffed full of junk mail including those annoying ones that are printed on thick paper and are fixed to the inside making it hard to browse the magazine, 50% adverts inside at a guess not including the sponsored articles.
My GW magazine arrived today in a paper wrap 😊 👍
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Much as I have a congenital hatred of the hunting brigade, there is in my mind, no doubt that they bring economic benefit to upland areas. Without them, most moorland could not be economically managed, plus they provide jobs in areas where there are very few. What we must insist on, is that the land is almost managed for other wild life. It is a disgrace how few Hen Harriers raise chicks on English moorland, although much better in Scotland. Follow the rules, or no shooting.
I agree but there's also the arguement that the current management has caused the requirement for millions of pounds of flood defenses and it sucks up millions of pounds of agricultural subsidies.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
I'd hate to see all moorland disappear, but there's definitely a good case for encouraging scrub and trees on some areas, particularly in stream valleys and catchment areas where we need to slow down water flow after heavy rain. The extreme flooding in our valley in 2015 was blamed in part on the way the moorland has been managed in the past.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Of course you’re right Hosta, they can’t stop it all, butchers meat has to be in plastic.
Not tempted by vegetarianism?
Many years ago before vegetarianism became the in thing, a woman I work with came in and told the story of their evening out with friends who had recently become converts to the cause, and as we all know a convert to a cause is often more vocal. My colleagues husband had been getting more and more irritated with being preached at, so managed to end the subject by saying "Oh yes, there's nothing better than a good salad (paused for effect) accompanied by a rare steak".
I'm not involving myself in the debate about grouse. Large parts of Scotland are very difficult to make a living in, so it's a case of 'walk a mile in their shoes'. I certainly don't defend those gamekeepers/landowners who abuse their position of the management of moorland and other wild areas, but there are many who are extremely responsible, and are actively helping to sustain wildlife, in areas where some species have been driven out.
Posts
Without them, most moorland could not be economically managed, plus they provide jobs in areas where there are very few.
What we must insist on, is that the land is almost managed for other wild life. It is a disgrace how few Hen Harriers raise chicks on English moorland, although much better in Scotland.
Follow the rules, or no shooting.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
There's a nature reserve near here that has a well built hide on stilts in marshland. Access is via a board walk with high fenced sides so you can't get out or even see very much except thru purpose built holes. The hide is large, multi-angled for various viewing points, has 18 adjustable telescopes fixed above the viewing platform and visitors pay a one-off or annual fee to observe marshland birds and creatures going about the business of feeding, breeding, raising young, migrating.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm not involving myself in the debate about grouse. Large parts of Scotland are very difficult to make a living in, so it's a case of 'walk a mile in their shoes'. I certainly don't defend those gamekeepers/landowners who abuse their position of the management of moorland and other wild areas, but there are many who are extremely responsible, and are actively helping to sustain wildlife, in areas where some species have been driven out.
This is the sort of thing that doesn't always grab headlines either, but it's easier to garner support when it's birds and/or cuddly animals at the centre of the debate. Human nature I suppose
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-49369133
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...