The Scottish Gamekeepers Association would like to thank those who spotted the continuity error in the BBC Countryfile programme which was broadcast on Sunday (1st July).
In the final cut, it was mentioned that 700 pheasant poults were due to arrive with SGA Chairman Alex Hogg. However, when asked, Alex stated he estimated the estate he works on loses 1000 pheasant young per year due to the activities of buzzards. Obviously, these figures came across rather oddly.
The SGA would like to clarify that the 700 number came from Alex talking about the specific single pen that the BBC were filming beside, at the time of that section of the interview. It is not the only pen administered by Alex but one of many, hence the continuity issue.
3800 pheasant poults are reared on the estate Alex works on, so the 1000 figure is in direct relation to this. The estate is reducing the number of pens by 50 per cent this year as a direct result of the problems highlighted in the programme. This measure is a further attempt by a progressive estate to manage the issue following its utilisation of all other recommended measures such as buffer feeding, radios, distraction techniques, etc, some of which were highlighted by Alex in the piece.
If you missed the programme and want to watch it again, see Countryfile on BBC iplayer here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01kmbf6/Countryfile_01_07_2012/