News

SNILESWORTH MOOR OPEN DAY

7th June 2005

Ever wondered what goes on in the heather on your local moor? 60 local people went along to Snilesworth Moor, on the north-eastern edge of the North York Moors on Sunday (5th June) to find out where curlews nest, when lapwing chicks hatch and why gamekeepers, in the winter months, set fire to the heather!

Moorland ‘keeper, Jimmy Shuttlewood and farmer Tony Flintoff, gave a three hour guided amble along a circular walk showing visitors every aspect of life on the moors including red grouse and sheep management. Walkers keen to exercise their new right of access to open country in the area discovered how it is being put into practice, whilst protecting the wildlife and livelihoods of the moors.

Said George Winn-Darley, the Moorland Association’s North York Moors representative: “Britain has 75% of the world’s remaining heather and we are very lucky to have the largest unbroken block in England on the North York Moors. Heather is on the decline in some areas, but where it is managed for red grouse shooting it continues to thrive and support up to five times more wading birds than moors not managed for grouse. To ensure that this natural heritage is not lost we want to help people appreciate and understand how the hills are managed and how they can do their bit. We will be arranging further visits in different moorland areas to raise awareness.”



Key aspects of moorland management covered:
• predator control that helps protect vulnerable ground nesting birds;
• heather burning that provides new shoots for grouse and sheep to feed on, acts as a safeguard against wildfires and provides a range of habitats for other wildlife;
• what the new rights to open country actually allow people to do.

The Moorland Visitor’s Code is essential reading for anyone planning a moorland walk and is available free from 0870 120 6466:

The Moorland Visitor’s Code.
• Check www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk to see what is open for you (and your dog) and follow any local signs
• Dogs are not allowed on most access land on grouse moors to protect rare moorland birds
• Never light fires on moorland, not even gas stoves or barbecues and respect warning signs during periods of high fire risk in the spring and summer
• Protect plants and animals and take your litter home
• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Consider other people – moorland keepers and farmers play a crucial role in the well being of the moors

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