The Oakbank Pod

This time, we are exploring turtle dove conservation with Graham Denny at Brewery Farm in Suffolk.

For this episode, we sit down with Alex Keeble, Game and Wildlife Advisor at the GWCT, to discuss the role of predator control in a wide range of conservation projects, from wild game to reintroduction of waders. Alex shares his journey in conservation, explains the science behind effective predator management and highlights practical methods for controlling predators. We explore the three-legged stool approach - habitat, feed and predation management - for boosting biodiversity, and discuss challenges like legal changes to trapping and the importance of sustainable habitat creation. In addition, we touch on the importance of baselining before making habitat changes, shift to non-toxic shot, promoting game meat consumption and actionable tips for landowners and conservationists. As is the tradition, we also sample a selection of cheeses and discuss our favourites.

For our debut Oakbank podcast, Tim Furbank and Ryan Peach sit down at the Arundel Estate with Head Gamekeeper Charlie Mellor and Farm Manager Conor Haydon, exploring what it really takes to run a successful wild grey partridge project in the UK. The conversation lifts the lid on the working relationship between farming and gamekeeping, how habitat and predator management intertwine, what stewardship and SFI mean in practice and the crucial role of having a long-term vision. Charlie and Connor share refreshingly honest insights into collaboration, pitfalls, practical decisions and the realities of delivering both productive farming and thriving wildlife. The episode also includes a feature from GWCT’s Megan Lock on the importance of the Big Farmland Bird Count.