There’ll be an anti- grouse shooting protest walk taking place in the Peak District National Park this coming Sunday (16 August 2026), timed to coincide with the start of the grouse-shooting season on the Inglorious 12th. Organised by the campaign group Reclaim Our Moors (see here for earlier blog on them), the one-hour walk, followed by speeches, … Continue reading "Reclaim Our Moors – protest…
Top London chef Richard Corrigan, who owns Corrigan’s and Bentley’s restaurant in Mayfair, says he has become more particular about where he sources Red Grouse for his menu. In an article in The Guardian yesterday, he tells journalist Helena Horton that he now refuses to buy from large estates, and also refuses to buy from … Continue reading "Top London chef shuns Red Grouse from large “factory…
The ‘tip of the iceberg’ is a phrase often used by researchers and conservationists when describing the scale and extent of illegal raptor persecution in the UK, meaning that what is known or can be seen is only a small fraction of what is actually happening under the surface. Killing birds of prey is an … Continue reading "Hen Harrier persecution on UK grouse moors – new research suggests only…
A couple of weeks ago I blogged about a forthcoming BBC documentary about the recent murder trial of retired Scottish head gamekeeper David Campbell, who was convicted of shooting dead his former colleague from Edradynate Estate, Brian Low. The BBC’s award-winning documentary series Murder Trial was given permission to film part of the police investigation and then … Continue reading "New…
In February this year, NatureScot imposed a three-year General Licence restriction on Raeshaw Estate, a grouse-shooting estate in the Scottish Borders believed to be under the management of ‘grouse guru’ sporting agent Mark Osborne. The General Licence restriction related to the disappearance of a satellite-tagged Golden Eagle called ‘Merrick’, who Police Scotland believe was ‘shot … Continue…
2026 was another successful breeding season for Hen Harriers on the United Utilities Bowland Estate where the RSPB works in partnership with the water company United Utilities and its tenants to monitor and protect these iconic birds. Nine Hen Harrier nests on the United Utilities Estate were monitored this year, eight of which were successful … Continue reading "Sustained success in 2026 for Hen…
NatureScot has today announced a three-year General Licence restriction on two shooting estates: Milton of Drimmie Estate, near Blairgowrie, Perthshire, and Invermark Estate in the Angus Glens. MILTON OF DRIMMIE ESTATE, PERTHSHIRE The Milton of Drimmie restriction relates to the conviction earlier this year of gamekeeper and ex-sex offender Russell Mason, after he was caught … Continue reading…
On Monday 20 July 2026, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, all charges were dropped against two gamekeepers who had been on trial for the alleged shooting of Red Kites, as well as alleged firearms offences, in the Cairngorms National Park. What follows is my understanding of the case, based on material published by the media, court … Continue reading "Trial collapses against two Scottish gamekeepers…
Press release from Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, Forestry England & Exmoor National Park Authority (4 August 2026) THE FIRST WHITE-TAILED EAGLES RELEASED IN EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK The return of white-tailed eagles to England has taken another step forward with the release of six young birds in Exmoor National Park, the first to be reintroduced here … Continue reading "First White-tailed Eagles…
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about BASC’s grandstanding antics in response to a High Court ruling about the keeping of non-native gamebirds (Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges) on Special Protection Areas (SPAs) or within the 500m of the SPA’s boundary (see here). BASC had framed its judicial review ‘win’ in such a way that … Continue reading "More information about BASC’s legal challenge on…