Science matters
BASC monitors scientific journals, environmental, policy and political alerts for the results of studies of relevance to shooting and conservation. Below are links to a selection of papers published in April – June 2027.
Read the latest research on...
Birds
- High and stable Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata numbers on low-intensity farmland and moorland managed for Red Grouse Lagopus scotica recreational shooting in northern England
- Survival, causes of mortality and nesting success of wild hen pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in Norfolk, eastern England
- Exploring sources of uncertainty in the estimate of waterfowl harvest in the United Kingdom
- The dispersal of released pheasants and the risk of their intrusion into English protected areas – Preprint article
- A spatial analysis of Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) abundance with reference to Protected Area coverage in England – Preprint article
- GPS tracking reveals new insights into the complexity of Eurasian wigeon (Mareca penelope) migration along the East Atlantic Flyway
- Habitat and spatial trends of U.K. wintering waterbird populations over 50 years
- Isotopic evidence for the consumption of Galliformes by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in rural southern England
- Ducks across the pond – challenges and opportunities for collaboration between North America and Europe
- Nest-site selection and seasonal habitat shifts of the enigmatic Eurasian woodcock across its Palaearctic breeding range revealed by open-source data
- Golden Eagle recovery feasibility in England
- Brood Parasite Population Increase Facilitates Interspecific Brood Parasitism of Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) by Greylag Goose (Anser anser)
Mammals
- Impact evaluation shows that hunting without quotas has contrasting effects on deer harvest across management levels
- Drivers of roe deer use in fragmented forest landscapes; implications for current and future management in the context of policy driven forest expansion
- Deer activity limits tree recruitment in woodland creation sites
- Estimating the seroprevalence of tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) infection in a wild deer population in southwest England – Preprint article
- Advancing the understanding of the human dimensions of Eurasian lynx reintroduction in Scotland
Land management
- Assessing the potential impact of environmental land management schemes on emergent infectious disease risks
- The effect of atmospheric pollution caused by pheasant Phasianus colchicus releases on the epiphytic flora on trees in sensitive woodlands – Preprint article
- Navigating transformations from degraded to functional ecosystems
- A standardised protocol for measuring farmland biodiversity outcomes across European Farmer Cluster landscapes
- Modelling the persistence of post-management disturbance in Calluna vulgaris communities
Other topics
- Wetland Heritage in the Balance: Developing an Exploratory Model for Understanding Local Perceptions of Wetland Heritage
- Public Perceptions of Wildfire Risk in the UK: A Study of Roaches Nature Reserve in the Peak District
- Lead in hunting ammunition: what are we waiting for?
- Ammunition lead poses risks – food safety management options in commercial wild game meat chain in Sweden
Subscribe to our BASC Live newsletter to receive Science Matters updates straight into your inbox once a quarter.
Looking for more insight?
Science matters: Grey squirrels, damaged woods and pine martens
BASC’s Julia Newman reviews research around bark stripping activity in grey squirrels and discusses the role of pine martens as part of the solution.
Science matters: do you know the value of wild venison?
Conversations around food sustainability are growing louder in many parts of the world, presenting an opportunity for wild British game, writes Sophie Stafford.
Science matters: How mentors can shape the shooting community
Mentors have a vital role to play in ensuring that the shooting sector continues to grow and flourish, says BASC’s Heather Warrender.
Conservation in action – winter 2024/25
Read our latest update on BASC conservation projects, including how you, your shoot or club can get involved.
From drones to data: the role of technology in wildlife conservation
Dr Cat McNicol discusses the impact that rapid advances in technology are having on research centred around sustainable shooting and conservation.
Science matters: From grouse moors to Farm Clusters
Conservation delivers best when management is applied at scale, sustained over time and its results are measured, writes Sophie Stafford.