Successful WHCT Grant awarded to the Derrylin & District Gun Club’s Upper Lough Erne Islands Breeding Wader Project

The Wildlife Habitat Charitable Trust (WHCT) has awarded a 5-year grant totalling £15,000 to Derrylin & District Gun Club, towards their innovative Upper Lough Erne Islands Breeding Wader Project.

The project is to provide improved opportunities for breeding waders on three islands. Management undertaken will include the removal of scrub, creation of small ponds and ongoing sward management to improve the habitat. Predator control will also take place to increase breeding success of the waders. Implementation and progress will be recorded throughout the project.

Welcoming the 5-year funding commitment by the Wildlife Habitat Charitable Trust, Derrylin and District Gun Club Secretary Thomas Mc Goldrick, said, "This new injection of support will allow us to expand and strengthen our breeding wader conservation project on several islands on Upper Lough Erne. It also demonstrates the commitment of the shooting community to protect threatened species such as curlew”.

Mr. Mc Goldrick also praised the local landowners saying, “without the support of local farmers this project would not be possible. Through our partnership we hope to help secure future populations of breeding waders, so that future generations can enjoy the evocative calls and displays of these species".

Paul Williamson, WHCT Secretary and Head of Land Management BASC, said, “Having visited the site in 2018 it is clear to see the immense potential for breeding waders. This project shows that people that shoot care deeply about wildlife and are prepared to invest their time in protecting it which the WHCT is delighted to support.”


Notes to Editors:

The WHCT is the grant-giving arm of the Wildlife Habitat Trust (WHT), set up by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), to be shooting’s conservation charity.

For more information on the WHT and WHCT please visit: http://www.wht.org.uk/