GWCT News Blog

Releasing red-legged partridges can be both rewarding and frustrating, with a variety of factors affecting the success of release.

By now, most people have heard of the dreaded Asian hornet — large, scary, and most definitely evil-looking… or so the rumours go. Many claim they’ve seen one. But how common are they in the UK, and are they really a problem?

Across the country, we witness a variety of pheasant release pens in all shapes and sizes. GWCT research has shown that the release environment will have a significant impact on the return rate of birds. Therefore, attention to detail is paramount to get the birds off to the best possible start.

Often many shoots attempt to re-establish grey partridges through releasing. However, re-establishment efforts are prolonged, labour-intensive and expensive operations with no guarantee of success.

Defra informed stakeholders and the public in April that it would not be re-issuing GL45, the general licence to release gamebirds on or near (500m buffer) SPAs. This decision was made due to current levels of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the inability to rule out the risk of it spreading to the bird features present on SPAs. Instead, those wanting to release gamebirds onto SPAs or their buffers must seek an individual licence from Natural England.

The Advisory team play an important role in disseminating our applied practical research to the managers of the countryside via a series of events and visits held throughout the country, including training courses and face-to-face visits.

25 years of the Purdey Awards have brought recognition to many shoots, vividly demonstrating the strong link between game management and conservation, but there are surely many more shining examples out there, so let’s look forward to celebrating many more in the years to come.

Response to a new study on ticks, Borrelia bacteria and Lyme disease potential in relation to pheasant release pens.

NatureScot has informed us that the implementation of the licensing scheme for operating spring traps and corvid traps in Scotland will be delayed at least until autumn 2025.

Defra will shortly publish an updated GL43 licence and guidance for 2025 for the release of gamebirds on and within 500m of areas that are Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), but not Special Protection Areas (SPAs).