Why I’m attending this year’s CLA Gamefair

Why I’m attending this year’s CLA Gamefair 

A redshank at RSPB Geltsdale (photo by Andy Hay rspb-images.com)

I have decided to attend the CLA Gamefair this year, being held at Harewood House.  There was a time back in the day when I was a regular attendee, but I found it more useful to meet folk in small groups, for more constructive discussions, rather than at big set pieces.  But the risk in that I suppose is that chance meetings that inspire some new opportunity, or learning about a project led by a landowner or farmer escapes your attention.  So I will go along with renewed interest.

I have no doubt that some people (if my Twitter presence is anything to go by!) will want to come and have their say about me, or the RSPB’s stance on issues like predation, birds of prey, upland management and every permutation of the above.  I still meet people who think the RSPB is at the centre of some plot to stop all field sports. We are not. Indeed our Royal Charter requires us to be neutral on the issue, and we observe that with considerable care. To be truthful we don’t very often talk about field sports per se. But we do talk about the wider environmental sustainability of the practices they adopt and seek to provide sound ideas, backed by solid evidence, to help land managers be more sustainable. And of course we are resolute in fighting illegal activities that blight the reputation of all sporting estates and we are determined that raptors will have a secure future in our countryside. Better regulation should be at the heart of this. 

Recent evidence we have presented on the intensification of burning in the Uplands is a case in point. More burning is happening, often on protected areas, and in some cases this is leading to erosion, the release of carbon to the atmosphere, and the loss of favourable conservation status (particularly on deep peatlands) – and even adds to dissolved carbon in water courses (and hence water supplies). One would hope the grouse industry would be keen to minimise these impacts, and thus welcome this research (indeed why are they not taking responsibility for this?). But the reaction has at best been muted and not very positive, I am afraid.

Similarly some commentators present as ‘fact’ that RSPB reserves are failing to protect birds. A look at the evidence would demonstrate the extra-ordinairy things that are being achieved, and at scale by the RSPB on its reserves. It’s great to see breeding waders soaring at farms that are part of the RSPB Geltsdale reserve – despite the trends elsewhere. In 2003 farms which had 29 pairs, supported 114 pairs in 2014.

RSPB Dove Stone (photo by Ben Hall rspb-images.com)

At Dove Stone in the Peak District management by the RSPB has seen substantial increases in curlew, golden plover, dunlin and other species. Again all achieved by blocking drains put there by previous owners, that drain and dry out the peatlands, controlling grazing and burning, modest levels of targeted predator control, and restoring the right mosaic of vegetation. These contributions should be studied by other land managers. In the same way  we accept we can learn from the work of farmers, and sporting land managers who document the results of their work in a way that it can be evaluated and replicated. One of the most useful studies from the sporting sector is that conducted by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) at Otterburn, which was published following peer review; it has influenced our management. But the growing trend of asserting myths and circumstantial evidence to justify current practise helps nobody, and I am sceptical of attempts to ignore good science, and award anecdote and gossip an equal status to rigorous field trials and research. 

My point though is that presenting sound, evidence-based ideas to the land managing and sporting fraternity should be seen as positive engagement by the RSPB.  Hopefully people in these communities will see that too. 

Dunlin numbers have increased at RSPB Dove Stone (photo by Chris Gomersall rspb-images.com)

Of course there are well publicised areas of disagreement where the evidence is less in dispute but where agreement on what to do is hard to find, but it would be so positive if reason broke out – especially on the use of lead shot, but also over the long term future of upland management, including burning, peatlands and of course hen harriers and other raptors. I don’t believe it is in the self-interest of the sport shooting fraternity not to adapt to the best evidence – wherever it comes from, whether that’s Government agencies, the GWCT or RSPB.  Let’s hope I meet some landowners and game managers who feel the same way on 31^st July.  If you are going to the Gamefair please do come along and say hello at the RSPB stand.  And yes I am happy to engage in robust, but courteous discussion!

Oh and you can follow me at @StuartHousden on Twitter. These issues do arise periodically!