Calls for tougher policing of Scottish grouse moors to protect birds of prey

Wildlife campaigners are calling for even tougher policing of Scottish grouse moors days before this year's Glorious Twelfth, the annual festival for grouse shooting.

- Severin Carrell

Grouse shooting can lawfully start on 12 August. But for the first time, grouse moors in Scotland must hold a licence to do so under new powers brought in this year to reduce the unlawful killing of birds of prey by gamekeepers.

Data compiled by the RSPB shows there were 488 persecution incidents in Scotland from 2007 to 2022 involving shooting, poisoning, snaring, trapping and nest destruction of birds of prey.

The new licences, which last for five years and are overseen by NatureScot, the government agency, came into force last month. Grouse moors now face losing their legal authority to shoot grouse if their estates or employees are linked to the deaths of birds of prey.

Prof Colin Galbraith, an ecologist with expertise in bird of prey persecution who chairs NatureScot's board, said he was "genuinely optimistic" that the new legislation would improve wildlife conservation on grouse moors.