2022

The plight of waders breeding in the UK is well known. All of our familiar species are in serious decline and we hear frequent warnings about local extinctions for some of them. Well known causes of decline are a loss of quality habitat due to changes in land use and intensified agricultural practices, and we are seeing increased losses of wader nests to a variety of predators.

With the start of the muirburn season (1st October – 15th April) now upon us, many upland farms and estates across Scotland will be watching the weather forecast with a close eye and view to burning.

The GWCT Grampian art competition launched in 2019 and has now been extended across Aberdeenshire.  

This year’s art competition is open once again, all school aged pupils across Aberdeenshire, Angus and Perth and Kinross are invited to submit a piece of artwork.

Red grouse management and shooting can contribute significantly to rural economies whilst delivering a plethora of wider biodiversity and environmental benefits. 

As part of the project group established to increase recording of mountain hare presence right across Scotland, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is dismayed that following the first year of this expanded survey capacity, the National newspaper has hailed this as marking an increase in mountain hare numbers following protection.

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.

The subject of predator control can be charged with emotion and often misguided opinion. This has put ever greater scrutiny on practitioners; there is no place for poor practice. The game sector prides itself in being able to demonstrate best practice to ensure that predator control remains a legitimate conservation tool. There are sector-led codes of practice in place and the GWCT is recognised for up-to-date training on all aspects of humane predator control.

Megan Rowland, a deer manager from the Highlands, was chosen as the overall winner of the INEOS Grenadier Countryside Champion Award 2022, coordinated by GunsOnPegs. 

Rigorous counting from gamekeepers has given hope to the Peak District’s population of mountain hares, showing their numbers are much better than feared.