Confusion on moorland role
WE must raise some questions over the articles ‘ County has highest number of persecuted birds of prey, RSPB says’ and ‘ Conservationists call for ban on burning peat bogs on moorland’ ( The Yorkshire Post, October 1). As far as raptors are concerned, they are welcome on grouse moors.
Natural England has recently reported a record breeding season for hen harrier in England with 12 out of 19 nests located on grouse moors producing 40 out of the 60 chicks. There is also evidence of peregrine, merlin and other raptors doing well on grouse moors.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms all forms of wildlife crime, including any incidents of bird of prey persecution, and the moorland sector has a ‘ zero tolerance’ approach to such activity. One incident is too many and any incidents in grouse shooting areas must be stamped out.
However, as the RSPB Birdcrime Report’s own data shows, while there have been incidents in this county, the majority of incidents in England happen in counties where there’s no grouse shooting and that overall figures are at their lowest levels in the 2010- 19 period.
It was also claimed that moorland managers burn peat. Moorland managers do not burn peat. They undertake controlled heather burning in autumn and winter. Removing the heather canopy by controlled burning aims to not harm the peat or moss underneath but allows more light in to the understory of vegetation. This benefits peat- forming plants and also birds of conservation concern, such as golden plover and curlew. It also reduces fuel loads and risk of wildfire.
Recent scientific research has shown that areas of blanket bog can be capable of increased levels of carbon capture with burning as part of the management. We would also point out that grouse moors have been actively involved in the blocking of old agricultural drains in the uplands and planting of sphagnum, which help to mitigate flooding.
Heather ( not peat) burning, therefore, is a crucial tool for the restoration and protection of our peatlands.