Grouse survive deluge

Aug 12 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

GROUSE shooters and tourism workers in the region were reassured last night that the summer downpours have not dampened the potential for a bumper grouse season.

A harsh spring and a wet summer threatened to lower the stock of birds and hinder the influx of wealthy tourists wanting to shoot.

In a report by the Moorland Association, experts suggested that the grouse population in north Northumberland was so low there could be insufficient birds to shoot this year.

But a bumper grouse population has been predicted elsewhere in the region, where shooting is estimated to generate between £15m and £18m each year.

And that figure is likely to be slightly higher this year as the grouse cycle peaks and the number of birds soar.

James Scott Harden, of the Moorland Association, said: “I don’t think it’s true to say that there is going to be less birds around this year because of the weather. The north Northumberland area is not likely to be too good. But elsewhere it should be good.

“There is around a six-year cycle and last year was quite good and this year will be similar.

“There was some cold weather in June and that knocked some of the chicks, but they seem to have survived.”

The grouse shooting season begins today and the Moorland Association estimates that the activity supports 3,000 jobs in the region.

However, Richard Dodd, of the Countryside Alliance, said the industry could suffer as a result of the poor weather.

He said: “I’m hearing mixed reports about the levels of birds in the region. You can’t rear grouse – they are raised totally naturally. But it’s not been a great year so far, so there may be a scarcity of birds. I would suggest because of the harsh spring and the poor summer it might be a little more difficult.

“A lot of wealthy people come to pay big sums of money to shoot and it provides a means for those in the very, very isolated areas.”

Some experts said the cold weather and relentless downpours during the summer had killed grouse chicks, but others believe the birds were just large enough and the heather just thick enough for them to survive.

Countryside Alliance moorland officer Adrian Blackmoor said: “I don’t think it’s a difficult season, it can be patchy depending on disease in the birds.

“Grouse counts in County Durham and Northumberland are looking quite promising.”