CAMPAIGNERS have renewed calls for a ban on grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor as figures emerge which reveal a decline in over half of protected breeding bird species

Ban Blood Sport on Ilkley Moor (BBIM) has written to the leader of Bradford Council Susan Hinchcliffe noting that populations of breeding birds have fallen as a result of grouse shooting and related moorland management, and called on the local authority to end the blood sport on public land.

The call comes just weeks ahead of the Glorious Twelfth of August, the traditional start of the grouse shooting season - the last to be held on Ilkley Moor under the present licence.

Luke Steele, spokesperson for BBIM, said: “There is only one way to manage moorland for grouse shooting and that’s through burning away and damaging precious habitat, at the expense of our region’s wildlife. With over half of specialist breeding birds suffering decline or local extinction on Ilkley Moor, it is clear that Bradford Council's licensing of grouse shooting has been a conservation calamity."

He added: “It is high time Bradford Council reached the same conclusion as every other moorland-owning local authority: grouse shooting is incompatible with conservation and public interest, so has to go.”

BBIM have highlighted figures obtained from the RSPB Northern England Office which show a decline in the moor’s population of specialist species, including Merlin, Dunlin and Short Eared Owl.

The figures, taken from official government bird survey data but pulled together by the RSPB in a response to a public consultation about the future management of the moor, show:

* There was one breeding pair of red-listed Merlin on Ilkley Moor in 2014, compared to seven breeding pairs in 1990

* There was one breeding pair of amber-listed Dunlin on Ilkley Moor in 2014, compared to seven breeding pairs in 1990

* There were two breeding pairs of amber-listed Redshank on Ilkley Moor in 2014, compared to seven breeding pairs in 1990

* There were no breeding red-listed Ring Ouzel on Ilkley Moor in 2014, compared to four breeding pairs in 1990

* There were no breeding red-listed Whinchats on Ilkley Moor in 2014, compared to four breeding pairs in 1990

* There were no breeding red-listed Twite on Ilkley Moor in 2014, compared to seven breeding pairs in 1990

* Other breeding bird species which form part of a healthy upland habitat, including hen harrier, short eared owl and raven, are completely absent from Ilkley Moor.

Asked about his stance on shooting on Ilkley Moor by Luke Steele, the town's MP John Grogan replied: "I have no objection to shooting on private land but I think there is a conflict of interest between ramblers and shooting on publicly owned Ilkley Moor. I also note growing evidence that the change in wildlife habitat which goes with shooting is adversely impacting some populations of protected birds on the moor. I have already made my view clear to my colleagues at Bradford Council that in my opinion they should not renew the lease for shooting on the moor when it is up for renewal in 2018.

"I would only add that I would urge you to ensure that any protests regarding this issue are entirely peaceful and within the law. Anything less will damage the cause you espouse."

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: “Grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor is restricted to just eight weekdays during the grouse shooting season. The current contact to allow shooting on the moor will come to an end next year, 2018. All representations will be taken into account before any decision is made on whether to renew the contract or not.”