5th November 2014
The number of golden plover recorded on the moorland of the North York Moors could be at its highest level for 18 years. The picture looks promising for other wading birds too with no further decline in breeding lapwing and populations of curlew holding steady, bucking a national declining trend. Publications
The National Park Authority praised the good work carried out by landowners and gamekeepers to maintain the conditions that benefit these nationally and internationally important birds.
The results come from a survey into the number of waders breeding on the North York Moors undertaken by the National Park Authority in partnership with Natural England. The results will be used by both organisations to inform future decisions around moorland management. Similar surveys were carried out in 1996, 2000 and 2008.
David Renwick, Director of Conservation at the National Park Authority, said:
“The 2008 survey suggested a decline in lapwing breeding on the moors so it is very encouraging that this decline would seem to have halted. That golden plover has been recorded in increased numbers is also to be celebrated as the North York Moors is recognised as having an internationally significant population of these birds.
“All such surveys can only provide a series of snapshots and lots of factors, especially the weather, can affect breeding success. However, after having repeated the survey three times, we feel we can be confident that the populations of these birds on the North York Moors remain healthy. Thanks must go to landowners and gamekeepers who have not only supported our survey work but are keen to create favourable habitats and conditions for these birds.”
David Shaw, Natural England’s Area Manager for Yorkshire, said:
“The results of this survey are very welcome and it’s encouraging to know that wading bird populations are holding their own on the North York Moors, especially as numbers are declining nationally. The positive results from this survey are testament to strong partnership work by everyone involved in managing this wonderful Yorkshire landscape.
“As well as its breeding bird populations, the National Park is internationally recognised for its varied range of upland habitats including heath, bogs and fens; Natural England works closely with the National Park Authority and the area’s land managers and we support the kind of sustainable land management that provides healthy habitats for moorland birds. We are especially grateful to all the farmers, moorland owners and graziers in the National Park who are part of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme for all their hard work in contributing to this success story.”
Environmental Stewardship provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England to deliver effective environmental management on their land. There are currently 687 Environmental Stewardship Scheme agreements within the National Park, covering 75,473 hectares of land.
Amanda Anderson, Director of the Moorland Association, said:
“Bucking the national trend is a triumph for these moorland birds and the management which has helped them.
“Science tells us waders are up to five times more abundant on moors managed for red grouse because moorland keepers carry out careful, best practice heather burning which helps provide the right habitats for nesting and foraging.
“Predator control also increases the chances of young chicks fledging by 3.5 times. Walkers play a huge part too by keeping away from predator control equipment and walking dogs elsewhere between March and July.
“Our members spend £52.5 million a year in England looking after these iconic landscapes. We have seen significant gains for endangered species and welcome the success of wading birds.”
Wintering on marshes, estuaries and wetlands, the curlew, golden plover and lapwing return to the moors between March and July to nest and raise their young. Each species favours slightly different habitats but all generally need an open aspect with relatively easy access between moorland, where they nest, and neighbouring pasture where they often feed and may also nest.
The numbers of wading birds have declined dramatically in many parts of the country over the last century. Habitat loss and fragmentation due to drainage and other land use changes, climate change and predation are all thought to have played a part. Much of their best populations are now restricted to fragments of high quality habitat and places like the North York Moors are becoming increasingly important for them.
The North York Moors has the largest continuous patch of heather moorland in England and Wales and much of it (44,000 hectares) is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area. It was the internationally significant populations of both merlin – Britain’s smallest bird of prey – and golden plover found breeding in the North York Moors that led to the last designation.
Working with landowners and farmers to enhance habitats for waders is one of the objectives in both the National Park Authority’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan and Management Plan. The Authority will, wherever possible, use its own grant programmes to support work that benefits waders and will work with Natural England to try and ensure that the new national land management grant scheme provides support for land managers who are improving habitat in the National Park.
