No smoke without fire

A walk along the ridge to Bolsterstones this morning. The Stocksbridge steelworks in the valley to the east and to the west the Peak District and North Derbyshire. The gamekeepers were out burning the heather this morning prior to the nesting season. All in the name of breeding more grouse to be shot. The arguments for and against represent different view points and have complex implications. I am not in favour of the shooting but without it this moorland would be unlikely to be managed without other funding sources. However, the moors can be managed without the burning and the diversity of the wildlife would increase. Fewer birds to be shot, less profit, improved ecology. Take your pick.