Inglorious Conflict in the Uplands
Driven grouse shooting, where flocks of Red Grouse are chased by lines of beaters so that they fly over lines of "guns" that shoot the fast-flying birds, is a peculiarly British field sport. It is also peculiarly British in that it is deeply rooted in the British class system. Grouse shooting is big business, backed by powerful, wealthy lobbying groups, with tendrils running throughout British society.
Inglorious makes the case for banning driven grouse shooting. Mark Avery explains why he has, after many years of soul-searching, come down in favor of an outright ban. There is too much illegal killing of wildlife, such as Buzzards, Golden Eagles, and, most egregiously of all, Hen Harriers; and, as a land use, it wrecks the ecology of the hills. However, grouse shooting is economically important, and it is a great British tradition. All of these, and other points of view, are given fair and detailed treatment and analysis, with testimony from a range of people on opposite sides of the debate.
The book also sets out Avery's campaign with Chris Packham to gain support for the proposal to ban grouse shooting, culminating in "Hen Harrier Day," timed to coincide with the "Glorious" 12th. Ever controversial, Mark Avery is guaranteed to stir up a debate about field sports, the countryside, and big business in a book that all conservationists will want to read.
Publisher Name | Bloomsbury Natural History |
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Author Name | Hagendorf, Col |
Format | Audio |
Bisac Subject Major | SCI |
Language | NG |
Isbn 10 | 1472917413 |
Isbn 13 | 9781472917416 |
Target Age Group | min:NA, max:NA |
Dimensions | 00.86" H x 00.05" L x 40.00" W |
Page Count | 304 |
For fifteen years, Mark Avery was the Conservation Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). A scientist by training and a conservationist most of his life, Avery is a well-known and highly respected blogger, public speaker, and writer on UK nature conservation and environmental issues. His previous book for Bloomsbury was A Message from Martha, the story of the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon.