Ananova
The start of the grouse shooting season has gone with a whimper rather than a bang, conservation chiefs said.
The Glorious 12th is the beginning of the season, when thousands traditionally take to the moors, but huntsmen will have plenty to complain about.
Last year, shooting in northern England was largely cancelled after the most dramatic population crash of the moorland bird in half a century.
Parasitic worms in the gut of the grouse reduced the number of chicks and caused the death of thousands of birds.
In Scotland, bad weather and tick infestations led to shoots in many areas being severely curtailed or called off.
Despite some improvements this year, the situation was still "a very mixed bag" and not much shooting would take place, said the Game Conservancy Trust (GCT).
A spokeswoman said: "I would imagine there probably has been a very, very small amount [of shooting today], but not very much to speak about.
"That is really how the season is going to go."
Dave Newborn, a GCT scientist, said: "After last year's population crash, we have seen a good recovery in England but the fact breeding stock was so low at the start of the year means once again shooting will be very limited this year.
"However, the prospects for a strong recovery next year look positive."
