Getting their ducks in a row
As wildfowling comes under increasing pressure from changes in lifestyle and consenting arrangements, the Leicestershire Wildfowlers Association is one of several forward-looking clubs pushing the boundaries.
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Action plan(t) – how to spot and stop invasive plants before they take root
As part of Invasive Species Week 2026, we’re encouraging land managers, gamekeepers and everyone involved in shooting to ‘Be Plant Wise’. Knowing what to look for and acting early can help protect habitats, reduce management costs and stop invasive plants from spreading across the countryside.
Healthy habitat = healthy shoot
Whether you are maintaining woodland rides, managing cover crops, looking after ponds or carrying out conservation work, keeping invasive non-native plants under control should be part of your routine.
Many invasive plants spread quietly at first. A single patch along a riverbank or woodland edge can quickly become a much larger problem if left unchecked. Some damage habitats, others affect access, while several can become expensive and time-consuming to remove once established.
Here are some of the most common invasive plants to look out for and why they matter.
Himalayan balsam
Why it's a problem
Dense stands of Himalayan balsam crowd out native plants, reducing biodiversity. Because it dies back completely over winter, riverbanks are left bare and vulnerable to erosion, increasing the amount of soil washed into waterways and damaging aquatic habitats.
Japanese knotweed
Why it's a problem
Japanese knotweed quickly outcompetes native vegetation and its extensive root system can exploit cracks in concrete, tarmac and foundations. It is also capable of increasing riverbank erosion and can significantly affect property values.
What it means for shoots
Himalayan balsam can make access difficult around ponds and waterways, affecting habitat management and making it harder for both gundogs and people to move safely through the area.
What it means for shoots
Once established, Japanese knotweed can cost thousands of pounds to control. It is also important to remember that spreading it, even accidentally, is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Never flail or strim knotweed. Even tiny fragments can grow into new plants.
Giant hogweed
Why it's a problem
The sap reacts with sunlight and can cause severe skin burns and blistering that may last for months. It also shades out native vegetation before dying back in winter, leaving bare ground vulnerable to erosion.
Rhododendron ponticum
Why it's a problem
Dense thickets block almost all light from reaching the woodland floor, preventing native trees and wildflowers from regenerating. Rhododendron also acts as a host for serious tree diseases including Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae.
What it means for shoots
Giant hogweed presents obvious risks to beaters, stalkers, gamekeepers, forestry workers, Guns and anyone walking through affected areas. It also reduces the variety of plants and insects that healthy habitats depend on.
What it means for shoots
While it may once have provided cover for pheasants, unmanaged rhododendron quickly takes over woodland rides, makes birds difficult to flush and reduces the food and shelter available for deer and other wildlife.
Other species worth watching
The above species are among the best-known invasive plants, but they are not the only ones causing problems.
Snowberry and cherry laurel were both introduced as ornamental plants and have also been widely planted as game cover. Today they can spread beyond where they were originally planted, forming dense stands that suppress native woodland plants and reduce biodiversity.
Your action plan(t)
Managing invasive plants is rarely a one-off job. Success comes from spotting problems early and taking consistent action.
Map and monitor
Walk woodland rides, riverbanks, ponds and field margins regularly. Record any invasive plants you find so you can monitor them and act before they spread.
Practise good biosecurity
Seeds and plant fragments can easily travel on boots, vehicles, ATVs, machinery, trailers and even dogs’ paws.
Following the Check, Clean, Dry approach before moving between sites helps prevent invasive species spreading to new areas.
Choose the right control method
Different plants require different approaches. Himalayan balsam can often be pulled before it sets seed. Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed usually require specialist treatment using appropriate herbicides. Always follow current guidance and never use methods that risk spreading the plant further.
Know the law
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause invasive non-native plants to grow in the wild.
Landowners and land managers have a responsibility to ensure these species do not spread beyond their boundaries.
Small actions make a big difference
Most invasive plants do not take over an estate overnight. They often begin with a single plant beside a river, a patch along a woodland ride or in a forgotten corner of a shoot.
Spotting them early is usually quicker, cheaper and far more effective than dealing with a widespread infestation later.
This Invasive Species Week, take a closer look around your shoot. A few extra minutes today could save years of management in the future while helping protect the habitats that support shooting and wildlife alike.
GB non-native species secretariat has all the information you need to stay informed about invasive non-native species, latest alerts and updates, as well as plenty of resources you can use to help stop the spread.
Images: Snowdonia National Park Authority, RPS group Plc, GBNNSS
Sarah Pinnell
Sarah Pinnell is BASC's head of land management and consenting. She believes in protecting our countryside by aligning sustainable shooting with nature recovery goals. Sarah brings that same passion home, where she is committed to regenerative farming and self-sufficiency. Whether securing wildfowling consents or working the land, Sarah is focused on building a resilient, flourishing future for our landscapes.
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