A responsibility

Some weeks ago, at a book festival, I was heckled by a man from the Midlands. I’d mentioned that I think you quite often end up with landowners who care very little for wildlife and view land purely as an investment. It wasn’t clear what his objection was but he was so angry he even sent his wife over to have a go.

Over the years, I’ve had the tremendous pleasure of seeing lots of shoots and farms where the owner is working tirelessly to create and sustain habitat for the creatures that call their land home. However, we all know of places where more could be done. Another pond could be dug out here, or another wood could be planted there.

One constant, I have noticed, is that in places managed by true sporting people, those who go to bed dreaming about woodcock and wake up thinking of grey partridges, land is always in better nick. Just days ago, I sat on the ferry with a Devonian who’s been successful enough in business to buy a couple of farms.

“It’s not just ground you obtain,” he said to me, “it’s a responsibility for everything that relies on it, too.” Patrick Galbraith, Editor

Follow Patrick on Twitter @paddycgalbraith