Wildlife

Wild Moorland Bird Welfare and Predator Management

Moorland birds including curlew, golden plover, and short-eared owl are affected by predator management on grouse moors in complex welfare trade-offs.

Key Facts

Predator control on grouse moors involves legal removal of foxes, crows, and stoats
Curlew breeding success increases dramatically on keeper-managed moorland
Illegal persecution of raptors including hen harriers persists on some managed moors
Natural predator-prey dynamics without management supports different but equally valid biodiversity
Mountain hare culling associated with grouse management raises independent welfare concerns

Welfare Considerations

Moorland predator management creates complex welfare trade-offs where reduced predation on curlew and golden plover comes at welfare cost to predators controlled. Illegal raptor persecution is an additional welfare harm without conservation justification.

What You Can Do

Report suspected illegal raptor persecution to police and RSPB
Support legal reform of grouse moor management practices
Learn about curlew conservation as one of the UK's most urgent bird welfare priorities
Engage with the science around moorland management rather than simplistic narratives