Top London chef shuns Red Grouse from large “factory grouse shooting operations” where birds of prey are killed

Top London chef Richard Corrigan, who owns Corrigan’s and Bentley’s restaurant in Mayfair, says he has become more particular about where he sources Red Grouse for his menu. Red Grouse photo by Ron…

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Hen Harrier persecution on UK grouse moors – new research suggests only 0.5 – 10% incidents are detected

The ‘tip of the iceberg’ is a phrase often used by researchers and conservationists when describing the scale and extent of illegal raptor persecution in the UK, meaning that what is kn…

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New documentary now available about Edradynate Estate gamekeeper David Campbell’s conviction for murder

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about a forthcoming BBC documentary about the recent murder trial of retired Scottish head gamekeeper David Campbell, who was convicted of shooting dead his former c…

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Raeshaw Estate seeks judicial review of General Licence restriction relating to Golden Eagle Merrick being ‘shot & killed’

In February this year, NatureScot imposed a three-year General Licence restriction on Raeshaw Estate, a grouse-shooting estate in the Scottish Borders believed to be under the management of ‘…

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Sustained success in 2026 for Hen Harriers on United Utilities-owned moorland in Bowland, Lancashire

2026 was another successful breeding season for Hen Harriers on the United Utilities Bowland Estate where the RSPB works in partnership with the water company United Utilities and its tenants to mo…

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General Licence restrictions imposed on two Scottish shooting estates after evidence of raptor persecution – Milton of Drimmie (Perthshire) & Invermark Estate (Angus Glens)

NatureScot has today announced a three-year General Licence restriction on two shooting estates: Milton of Drimmie Estate, near Blairgowrie, Perthshire, and Invermark Estate in the Angus Glens. MIL…

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Trial collapses against two Scottish gamekeepers accused of killing Red Kites in Cairngorms National Park

On Monday 20 July 2026, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, all charges were dropped against two gamekeepers who had been on trial for the alleged shooting of Red Kites, as well as alleged firearms offences…

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First White-tailed Eagles released in Exmoor National Park

Press release from Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, Forestry England & Exmoor National Park Authority (4 August 2026) THE FIRST WHITE-TAILED EAGLES RELEASED IN EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK The return of…

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More information about BASC’s legal challenge on keeping gamebirds on Special Protection Areas prior to release

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about BASC’s grandstanding antics in response to a High Court ruling about the keeping of non-native gamebirds (Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges) on Special P…

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Book review – Prelude to Murder: Revenge Killing on a Highland Sporting Estate

Earlier this year, retired Scottish gamekeeper David Campbell was found guilty of murdering his former colleague from the Edradynate Estate in Perthshire, Brian Low, in February…

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Natural England forced to admit ‘Every White-tailed Eagle death in Dorset linked to rat poison’

Last week, the independent group Wildlife Poisoning Research UK (WPRUK) issued a press release confirming the poisoning of more White-tailed Eagles in Dorset, following the high profile poisoning o…

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New documentary on the recent murder trial of retired Scottish gamekeeper David Campbell, convicted of shooting dead his former colleague, Brian Low

Earlier this year, retired Scottish gamekeeper David Campbell was found guilty of murdering his former colleague from the Edradynate Estate in Perthshire, Brian Low, in February 2024. During a 13-d…

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Job opportunities x 3: UK National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU)

The UK National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) is a specialist police-led unit that provides intelligence, analysis and investigative expertise to support law enforcement agencies tackling wildlife cri…

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Joint satellite tagging project to see how White-tailed Eagles interact with livestock in western Scotland

Press release from NatureScot (17 July 2026) Forty new satellite tags will soon track sea eagles in western Scotland to investigate how sea eagles and livestock interact NatureScot has provided fun…

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Guest Blog – Stobo Hope and Scottish Forestry: a portent for grouse moors?

The following is a guest blog by someone who wishes to remain anonymous, although I know their identity. Previous guest blogs on this subject here, here and here. Muirburn on Hammer Head, Stobo Hop…

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Natural England finally publishes its formal review of Hen Harrier brood meddling trial

Natural England has finally, after many months of delay, published its formal review of the Hen Harrier Brood Management (Meddling) trial that ran from 2018-2024. For new blog readers, the Hen Harr…

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Confirmation of further White-tailed Eagle poisonings in Dorset

Press release from Wildlife Poisoning Research UK (WPRUK), 22 July 2026: CONFIRMATION OF FURTHER EAGLE POISONINGS IN DORSET The white tailed sea eagle is one of England’s rarest and most impressive…

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High Court ruling on BASC’s legal challenge against gamebird licensing on protected sites – some important clarifications

On Thursday this week, the High Court issued its judgement on a legal challenge, brought by the British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC) against Natural England, concerning the li…

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Job opportunity: North of England Golden Eagle Project Manager

The charity Restoring Upland Nature (RUN), now home to the South Scotland Golden Eagle Project, is recruiting for the new position of North of England Golden Eagle Project Manager. This position ha…

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More information revealed about ongoing trial of two Glenbuchat Estate gamekeepers in relation to alleged shooting of Red Kites in Cairngorms National Park

More detail has emerged from the ongoing trial of two Scottish gamekeepers, accused of offences relating to the alleged shooting and killing of Red Kites in the Cairngorms National Park in February…

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ITV News highlights raptor persecution in North Yorkshire & arguments for & against gamebird shoot licensing

ITV News ran a five minute feature yesterday on the continued illegal killing of birds of prey in North Yorkshire, and the RSPB’s calls for a gamebird shooting licensing scheme to tackle thes…

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