THE 鈥淕lorious 12th鈥� of August marks open season for red grouse in the UK. Blasting these birds as they are flushed out of the undergrowth on managed moorland estates has been big business for 150 years 鈥� a day鈥檚 shoot can cost more than 拢5000.
But this controversial field sport is looking endangered as evidence of its environmental impact mounts, and technology promises to curb wildlife crime.
There is no love lost between grouse shooters and birds of prey. A study in Scotland in the 1990s showed predatory birds can thin out the grouse population to the extent that shoots are not viable.
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As such, persecution of endangered raptors such as hen harriers and golden eagles continues, despite it being illegal.
This year, there are only about a dozen hen harrier pairs nesting in England when the habitat should support more than 300. Five males disappeared even though their nests were watched 鈥� they are vulnerable when they leave to gather food. Conservationists don鈥檛 know what happened, but technology is making it harder for persecutors to avoid detection.
Tiny GPS transmitters can now monitor raptors in real time. One hen harrier was tracked up and down the length of the uplands of Britain before she was shot in the Yorkshire Dales. While no one was caught on that occasion, increased investment in tagging will clarify where the killing happens and sometimes who is doing it.
The intensive heather burning and land drainage needed to support red grouse numbers way above natural levels have wider environmental impacts. A study by the University of Leeds of 10 river catchments showed that such practices increase greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution, reduce aquatic biodiversity and may raise flood risk.
Grouse shooting damages ecosystems and the costs fall not on the shooters, but on the wider community 鈥� through water bills, home insurance premiums and, ultimately, climate change.
鈥淕rouse shooting damages ecosystems and the costs fall not on shooters, but on the wider community鈥�
Improved detection of wildlife crime with technology as well as a better grasp of environmental impacts will put grouse shooting under new pressure. As the shooters head out on the moors, they should not count on too many more years of sport.
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淕rouse game over鈥�
