LETTERS MAY BE EDITED FOR CLARITY OR SPACE
A GLORIOUS START
It is encouraging to hear of some good prospects for grouse this year in certain places – including Co Durham, parts of the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors – especially on the high ground, although other areas appear to be less fortunate.
The true value of the season, however, is in the remarkable range of benefits it brings for moorland species, local communities and rural businesses.
One such business is The Inn at Whitewell, in the Forest of Bowland, which employs 54 full-time and 30 part-time staff. The owner, Charles Bowman, highlighted the importance of the sporting season for accommodation bookings and meals served in the restaurant, with 132 grouse sold in one week alone last year.
Moorland species do notably better on grouse moors – 66% of curlew pairs on grouse moors hatch chicks successfully compared with 17% on non-grouse moors – according to a detailed study by the GWCT.
Added to all this good news, a report published in August by Professor Simon Denny concludes that grouse moor management provides greater environmental, social and economic benefits than any alternative
