Grouse wipe-out proves costly

From the archive, first published Thursday 7th Dec 2006.

BOLTON Abbey Estate is counting the cost after grouse was off the menu for another year.

No shots were fired on the 14,000-acre heather moorland estate for the second year in succession.

The problem has been blamed on high numbers of a parasitic worm which blighted the estate's red grouse population in 2005, and wet and windy conditions during late spring which led to a poor breading season.

The four-month shooting season, which is due to end on Sunday, provides important revenue for the estate, which spends large amounts of money managing the moorland.

Ben Heyes, agent for Bolton Abbey Estate, said: "It was a non-event. It is a kick in the teeth. There are severe repercussions to the income of the estate."

Local businesses have also lost out as shooting tourists have stayed away from hotels, B&Bs and restaurants

And there were no jobs for beaters, loaders and pickers-up who are usually employed from within the local community.

A great deal of work is put into managing the land, such as heather burning and vermin control.

Mr Heyes added: "It costs a lot of money. The costs are there year on year. We can't just forget about them. We have to manage the environment as best we can.

"We are hoping for better things in the future. We will continue to work hard to try to produce optimum conditions for grouse to develop a surplus."

The heather moorland also provides crucial breeding and feeding grounds for many of Britain's rarest and declining bird species.