Earlier in February we blogged about legal action being taken by Natural England against Walshaw Moor Estate in the Pennines, over the way the estate’s burning regime may impact on the fragile blanket bog habitat. This was seen as an important test case that could have far-reaching implications for the way other English grouse moors are managed (see here).
Last Friday (9 March), English Nature issued a statement that said they had now ‘resolved their dispute regarding management activities at Walshaw Moor’ (see here for full statement).
However, the RSPB has issued its own statement, raising concerns about the resolution. The RSPB’s Chief Executive, Mike Clarke, has written to the Chairman of Natural England to ask for clarification about the details of the resolution (see here for full statement).
Raptor Persecution UK 
This is sadly not entirely unexpected given NE’s record on grouse moor management plans and lack of action when these are transgressed. This is from personal experience of reporting such transgressions over the years and NE’s designation of many SSSI grouse moors as in favourable or improving condition when the reality to most others is of over burnt and over drained with if anything the rate of burning increasing. How can SSSI’s that are part of the north Pennines SPA be in good heart if they contain neither Peregrine nor Hen Harrier which form part of the SPA designation. There are none so blind who do not wish to see.