Country Diary

Almost everybody agrees that Britain needs more ponds, not least because a few teal and some mallard add fine variety to shoot days

- Jamie Blackett

Wilding has moved the conservation arguments on a bit.” I am not in the habit of quoting RSPB managers in these pages, or anywhere else for that matter. Their idea of conservation is very different to mine. But the more I delve into the issue of wilding and look at different approaches, from Sutherland to Sussex, the more I have to admit that there is some truth in that statement (by the manager of RSPB Loch Garten, of osprey fame).

My attempts at creating a paradise for game on my small patch are helped by the latest ideas from places like Knepp Castle about the importance of biodiversity and a balanced ecosystem built upon healthy soils. Conversely, the wilding of Britain, which has been going on all along, has always been and continues to be helped by the desire of shooting landowners to add a bit of variety to the bag.