Blogs

Results from The Big Farmland Bird Count 2022 are in; how did Wales fare in the ninth annual Big Farmland Bird Count?

Every year, there is a day dedicated by the United Nations to raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity across the world. This is the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB for short), which is held on 22^nd May.

Exciting plans for the first ever GWCT Welsh Game Fair, which will be held at a historic country estate in North West Wales in September, were unveiled at a reception attended by more than 80 invited guests on Wednesday 18^th May. 

We are delighted to add Clydach Farm, a family-run producer of nutritious dog food, to our list of premium partners. All Premium GWCT members can now save 15% off their first order from their popular range of wet and dry food, treats and supplements.

The war in Ukraine has added to the pressures farmers are facing through increasing input costs of the three F’s; fuel, feed and fertiliser. These could be short-term impacts but they come at a time when the industry is facing longer-term upheaval due to reductions in post-Brexit farm support, labour shortages and the impacts of trade and environmental policies.

The few who perpetrate wildlife crime overshadow the many grouse moor managers who work tirelessly to create habitat where birds of prey can thrive. 

Nick Williams OBE very sadly died on 17th April 2022 aged 74. He was a committed GWCT trustee since July 2016 and also our first chairman in Wales. Here colleagues and friends share their fond memories of Nick.

The GWCT is assisting with an exciting new project initiated by the Norfolk Estate, Sussex, to establish a breeding curlew population on the South Downs. The project involves a technique called headstarting, whereby eggs are taken from the wild, incubated artificially, and then chicks are reared to fledging age in enclosures before release into the wild.

The GWCT Scottish Game Fair returns to Scone Palace in Scotland from 1- 3 July with an incredible itinerary of displays, demonstrations, have-a-go attractions and exhibitors covering everything from fishing and shooting to gundogs and falcons.