The North Yorkshire Committee of the GWCT invite you to a Shoot walk at Swinithwaite Estate, DL8 4UH (Berry’s Farmshop and Café) (what3words: treetop.spirit.sofa)
- Monday 22nd May 2023
- Meet at 5.00pm for a prompt 5.30pm start
- Tickets £30 each
- To include refreshments afterwards at Berry’s café
Hosted by Adrian Thornton-Berry with head keeper Mark Smith from the Swinithwaite Estate and GWCT director & advisor Roger Draycott. Please join us to discuss and see the significant works over the last 30 years in all the woods to improve holding and showing game and see how they have been transformed by small felling areas and new planting which has led to a net biodiversity benefit for other bird species.
Swinithwaite Estate
Swinithwaite Estate is a total of 1,600 acres. The in-hand pheasant and partridge shoot is run over 1,100 acres in the valley bottom. It was previously run for family days with some let days under the stewardship of David Hutchinson, Headkeeper for 25 years. Mark Smith and his team now run the shoot with part of Bolton Estate.
There are 150 acres of woodlands complemented by 30 acres of game cover, which enhances the woodland areas.
The Estate has an existing management plan which recognises the importance of improving the woodlands for holding and showing game. This significant work in all the woods has taken place over the last 30 years.
Originally the woods were predominantly mature sycamore with little natural understory. They have now been transformed by a small felling area and additional new planting to increase connectivity with a mixture of conifers and broad leaves.
Control of roe deer, grey squirrels and rabbits is fundamental to the establishment of the trees. Maintenance of a very significant length of boundaries against sheep and cattle is a major ongoing liability.
Hedges have been planted to optimise the edge effect of new woodlands and a large-scale introduction of shrub layer in many of the woods. Small ponds have been created to support other species.
GWCT director and advisor Roger Draycott will be present to comment on the biodiversity benefit of this current management for released game and the increased area and variety of habitat for other bird species.
The meeting place is at Berry’s car park, use the post code DL8 4UH or What3Words treetop.spirit.sofa. There will be some walking and 4 x 4 vehicles with a reasonable ground clearance will be required, although sharing vehicles is encouraged. The walk is expected to finish at 7.30pm followed by refreshments provided by the Estate.