According to the RSPB, ‘new’ research into the impact of grouse moor management on peregrine falcon populations has revealed the true extent of their persecution on England’s grouse moors. The findings of the research, which was funded by the RSPB and whose chief author was one of its former employees, was published in Biological Conservation, and promoted in a media release that made some claims which, if true, would be shocking.  A copy of the paper, which was summarised as research that “finds birds of prey do less well on managed grouse moors than in other areas,” was also sent by the Northern Raptor Forum to the National Wildlife Crime Unit, which in turn circulated it to all Police Wildlife Officers and Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime members.

Although breeding success may have been half that in other habitats, the research actually showed that the population of peregrine falcons on grouse moors was stable over 14 years of the study. This should come as little surprise, given that their traditional and preferred nesting sites are on cliffs or rocky outcrops, a finite amount of which are found in the countryside, and very few of which are on driven grouse moors.

Increases in the population of peregrine falcons away from grouse moors can be largely attributed to the bird’s diversification. With a shortage of traditional nesting sites, and territories already being occupied, the peregrine has had to find alternative sites to breed and roost, and over the last 20 years they have moved into urban areas nationwide, using tall buildings and cathedrals to nest. Over 60 towns and cities are now believed to be holding a pair or single bird.

Using data from 1990 – 2006, the research found that incidents of illegal persecution against peregrines were more frequent on grouse moors than away from such areas. Whilst that may have been the case then, more up to date figures thankfully show that it is now quite the opposite. According to the RSPB’s own Birdcrime reports, between 2006 and 2010 only 21% of the confirmed incidents of illegal persecution against peregrine falcons in the UK occurred in areas that could be associated with grouse moors, and even then there was no evidence to show that they were carried out by anyone associated with their management. A staggering 79% of incidents of illegal persecution against the species took place elsewhere.

The current picture is therefore not as the RSPB and Northern Raptor Forum would have it portrayed. Following a representation to the National Wildlife Crime Unit, a caveat has been circulated to all Police Wildlife Crime Officers in the UK, and to all Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime members. This explains that those studying the paper will see that the data used is out of date, and that in using such information there is danger that the research paper is suggesting a current situation. Circulated with that caveat was a letter from the Countryside Alliance’s Moorlands Director Adrian Blackmore, questioning the research, and highlighting the more current statistics for offences of this nature. We will keep you updated on progress and continue to represent shooting and the shooting community most vociferously.

Alice Barnard
Chief Executive

This week we welcomed Chancellor George Osborne’s cut in fuel duty, contained in the Autumn Statement. You will recall that last week we had a comment piece in The Sun calling for this, so are gratified to see our call has been heard. We have also welcomed the renewed focus on the rural economy through the Rural Economy Growth Review.

Mr Osborne has provided a much needed boost to the rural economy by scrapping the planned rise in fuel duty, as we urged, and investing in projects ranging from rural broadband to countryside tourism. But he is pinning a lot of his hopes for growth on a simplification of the planning legislation, for which it is essential that working with rural communities is prioritised to ensure our natural environment and the British countryside is protected from over-development.

The release of the Rural Economy Growth Review, which coincided with the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, has seen several key successes for the Countryside Alliance campaigns on the rural economy and people who live in rural areas.

Click here to read the Countryside Alliance's take on the issues contained in the Rural Economy Growth Review such as the vital issue of fuel duty, improving mobile network coverage, rural broadband, Rural Growth Networks, rural tourism, empty homes and local transport.

We are now into December, and Christmas is only a few weeks away. We are having an excellent response to our refreshed online shop which features a range of gifts and fieldsports-themed Christmas cards by British artists. Click and get shopping at www.thecountrysideshop.com You can order our Christmas card collection online or alternatively call the order hotline on 0845 450 2234.

In addition to the cards, there are the usual CA classics such as mugs, calendars, ties and tea towels. However we have worked hard to ensure that the Countryside Shop also supports the best of rural business and can offer you many festive treats. This week's favourite sellers online include "At Home with the Totterings", a book featuring the popular Country Life cartoon strip Tottering by Gently, exploding clay pigeon targets, a foxhounds carafe and stemmed glass and an oak rocking horse. Visit www.thecountrysideshop.com to view and buy.

For your wider Christmas shopping don't forget to download www.shopforthecountryside.com - through Give as you Live, many sites will donate a percentage of the basket to The Countryside Alliance Foundation at no cost to you.

The first ever Countryside Alliance Race Day at Doncaster racecourse last Friday was a resounding success and congratulations to all the 9 jockeys who took part in the Race for Repeal. Wayne Burnell from the Badsworth and Bramham Moor came in first , followed closely by Sarah Fuller with Tim Reed in 3rd place.

A very big thanks to our sponsors, Westons cider and the Coniston hotel, all our wonderful supporters who came along to support their jockeys - it means a great deal to everyone that there was so much support for this inaugural race day. And a big thanks as well to all the staff at Doncaster who help make the day such a success, in particular Jo Mapletoft, Kaylee and Mark Spincer.

Here's to next year - we are already thinking about where, when and who wants to race!

You can still sponsor a jockey until Friday 2nd December - here is the list of our jockeys - Thank you very much for your support.

Visit www.pointtopoint.co.uk for a full listing so that you can support your hunt!

SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER

POINT-TO-POINT OWNERS & RIDERS CLUB (DAY 1) at BARBURY RACECOURSE (Wiltshire) SN8 1RS
First race: 12 noon
Admission prices: £10 per person

SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER

POINT-TO-POINT OWNERS & RIDERS CLUB (DAY 2) at BARBURY RACECOURSE (Wiltshire) SN8 1RS
First race: 12 noon
Admission Prices: £10 per person