Helens GWT Blogs

Helen's Christmas Blog

Christmas is almost here, and most of us celebrate being together with our families, our friends, good food and time with each other. Some more than others of course but even in our daily work, on shoots, out stalking – we can celebrate what we

November 2023

As I write this message, we are experiencing more rain in North Yorkshire, but have escaped the floods which others have been suffering. Shoots are well underway, and the Red Deer Hind season has commenced. The work goes on whatever the weather as

October

Today 12th October, we felt our first frost and scraping of the windscreen after a prolonged period of warmer than usual conditions. It can be a relief to get “back to normal” can’t it, however that is manifested. Normality can be interpreted in

September

September is a favourite month for many, as the trees turn their leaves in glorious colour, the grouse season well underway and with some wind and cooler conditions which tend to lift packs after sultry and humid conditions. Lowground shoots are

Glorious Grouse

Just after my last blog we received worrying news regarding United Utilities and their arbitrary decision to withdraw shooting leases for many shoots in the Northwest. This action will directly affect gamekeeper’s jobs and many other rural

JULY

We are in the third week of July already and how it has changed from a droughty period and taking water to birds and even ourselves in some cases to a relentless period of rain which has halted harvest and caused some anxiety for poults and late

Blooming June

June Dry for many and critical for others whilst a welcome respite for some; – June has begun as it has done for a few years now – dry for a prolonged period. This means a good start for young birds but also a concern for water requiring filling up

May Day

Happy May Day! May is such a lovely month in the countryside, full of promise and rich growth, summer visitors returning (wheatear, swallows, sand martins to mention a few) and new life everywhere. For some preparation for the season ahead and for