Whilst 1000s of teenagers were pulled off the Ten Tors competition on Dartmoor yesterday, (Sunday 13th May), a hardy 100-strong group of local people of all ages, braved the elements for a 1.5 mile guided walk on Broomhead Moor, near Stocksbridge, organised by the Countryside Alliance and the Moorland Association. The warm welcome from Broomhead Estate and wealth of interesting information from the Gamekeepers and other local experts from the Peak Bird Project and Peak District National Park Ranger Service kept everyone’s minds off the torrential rain.
Visitors heard how the Broomhead Estate plays host to a celebrated population of Lapwings and other rare and important birds that rely more and more heavily on moorland areas to breed such as Curlew, Dunlin, Merlin, Golden Plover, Ring Ouzel and Snipe. Very visual demonstrations were given of how gamekeepers – following strict legal protocol - help these birds to survive by controlling their natural predators, such as crows, foxes, stoats and weasels.
Other short talks along the way included the crucial interaction of sheep farming and red grouse management, bracken control and access for visitors. Winter heather burning is a key management tool that not only creates important habitat and food for grouse and sheep, but also protects the iconic heather landscape and the UK’s largest carbon store. Whilst the weekend’s rain is very welcome to soak the peat and protect it from devastating uncontrolled summer fires, it is bad news for tiny chicks that have just hatched and struggle to keep warm and forage for food.
Said Pauline Cowe a visitor from Sheffield “I have been a keen walker of mountains and moors for years and never knew how much effort went in to looking after heather moorland and how management for red grouse shooting and sheep could be so beneficial to many other birds. The gamekeepers were superb – they have such a wealth of knowledge about the ecology and wildlife. Well done and thank you for a great afternoon.”
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 – especially Fire Warning and Closure notices in hot weather.
• Dogs must be on a short lead (less than 2 metres) during the breeding season – 1st March – 31st July.
• Never light fires on moorland, not even gas stoves or barbecues, and don’t stub cigarettes out on the ground or throw them from car windows.
• 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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The management of red grouse and sheep go hand in hand. Pictured from the left, Chief Inspector David Hartley from the Sheffield Force Lead for Wildlife, Emily Rix (seven) and Ben Rimington Wilson, the manager/owner of the Broomhead Estate
Gamekeeper Malcolm Horn demonstrates the dual purpose equipment which can be used to assist in managing controlled winter burns, as well as helping tackle uncontrolled summer fires due the vehicle's ability to access all areas. Watching are Emily Rix (seven) and Laurence Heyes (five) |
