Gamekeepers are the "Unsung Heroes"
New NGO Survey: 21 July 2011
The first-ever national survey of Britain's gamekeepers has revealed the key role they play in conserving wildlife and habitats across the country.
The details are to be given to DEFRA ministers on July 22, when they visit the annual CLA Game Fair at Blenheim, near Oxford.
Nearly a thousand gamekeepers from all parts of England, Scotland and Wales took part in the study, representing a fifth of the entire profession. The area of land managed by gamekeepers who took part in the survey (1,337,454 ha) is five times the total area of all Britain's National Nature Reserves (255,789 ha) and 13 times the total area of all RSPB reserves (101,581 ha). The data was collated by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, an independent research charity
The survey's report, titled "Gamekeepers and Wildlife", details how land managed by gamekeepers is teeming with wildlife, including many rare and charismatic species, including a rich diversity of birds of prey. Over 80 per cent of respondents reported having kestrels, buzzards, sparrowhawks, barn and tawny owls on their land.
Kestrels, red kites, marsh harriers, merlins, barn owls, and ospreys were generally viewed benignly by gamekeepers. Some other birds of prey, such as the common buzzard (whose UK population is now at a record high), were seen as having detrimental effects on game and wildlife, but are tolerated nonetheless.
The chairman of the National Gamekeepers' Organisation, Lindsay Waddell, commented: "The truth is that gamekeepers undoubtedly host more wildlife on their land than all the nature conservation bodies put together."
The stewardship role of gamekeepers is illustrated by the widespread use of Government agri-environment schemes to create habitat for wildlife. Over 73 per cent of the farms and estates covered by the survey were participating in agri-environment programmes.
The survey also explodes the myth that gamekeepers work only for large landowners. 66 per cent of the shoots in the survey were smaller than 1000 ha, with 25 per cent being smaller than 250 ha. 32 per cent of gamekeepers are part-time, with 19 per cent being amateurs.
"In many parts of the countryside, gamekeepers have been quietly living up to the ideals of the Big Society for years," says Lindsay Waddell. "And quite apart from their normal duties, it is important to realise that in many remote rural areas, gamekeepers are the eyes and ears of the law enforcement agencies."
The survey, Gamekeepers and Wildlife was undertaken in February 2011 by the National Gamekeepers' Organisation, in conjunction with the Scottish Gamekeepers' Association. Results were collated by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.
The overall conclusions of the report (see page 29 of "Gamekeepers and Wildlife") are as follows:
- A large area was surveyed - many times that covered by some of the conservation designations in existence throughout the UK.
- Keepered estates are host to a wide variety of Britain's wildlife, a lot of it rare and/or charismatic.
- Most keepered estates have several raptor species present, even though some species are regarded as detrimental to game.
- There is widespread use of Government agri-environment schemes to create habitat for wildlife.
- Whilst control of common predators by gamekeepers is normal, the distributions of these species remain widespread.
- Several deer species are continuing to expand their range despite control being widespread.
- Full-time gamekeepered estates are an important part of British wildlife conservation
- Conservation carried out by small shoots with amateur and part-time gamekeepers also makes a significant contribution.
READ THE FULL SURVEY RESULTS HERE
Coverage of this story in the Daily Telegraph can be seen at: