Alan Edwards is conservation manager at Bywell, a Purdey Gold Award estate in Northumberland
“How did you get on last night, Davey?” came the inquisitive voice from over the garden hedge. One of the estate shepherds was enquiring about some recent lamb losses. Davey, my first headkeeper, replied with a calm voice. “We’ve done good. Alan accounted for his first vixen.” It was obvious that the den we had found housed the