News

WET WEATHER THREATENS MOORLAND CONSERVATION

8th July 2002

News Release

Date: Tuesday 8th July, 2002

WET WEATHER THREATENS MOORLAND CONSERVATION


The moors around Nenthead, Cumbria have been waiting for a purple makeover for over two years, but poor conditions over some of the highest peaks in the Pennines have so far prevented heather re-seeding attempts. Not to be beaten by the elements, Dinsdale Moorland Services has changed tack and come up with a tracked vehicle to deliver seed to the sodden ground, without causing damage. Moorland Association members, keen to regenerate heather across the uplands of England and Wales, are watching the progress of the work with interest.

Said Matt Dinsdale of Dinsdale Moorland Services: “Heather moorland is dependent on peat soil which literally soaks up and holds rainfall like a sponge. Our new vehicle is smaller, more manoeuvrable and three tonnes lighter than the dual wheeled tractor that we usually use, so when the ground has had the sort of soaking that Crossgill Farm at Nenthead has, we have a far better chance of getting the seed on to the ground. Heather re-seeding is a fine art which not only requires careful ground preparation and top-quality seed for successful germination, but also thorough logistical planning for getting equipment up narrow moorland tracks to remote points. This new innovation is a real help to get on with work when the weather has been against us.”

Britain has 75% of the world’s remaining heather moorland habitat and it is recognised as being of international importance, not just for its unique plant life but also the raft of bird life that it supports. Moorland Association members, who manage and own moorland in England and Wales, primarily for grouse shooting, have fought hard to halt heather loss in this country and are regenerating thousands of acres.


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Said Jake Morley, owner of Crossgill Farm: “ The first step in re-generating an area of moorland is to reduce the pressure from sheep grazing. At Crossgill Farm we have already built a sheep housing system, with 40% grant aid through the Northern Upland Moorland Regeneration Project (NUMRP), to keep the sheep off the moor in winter. This is helping to improve over 2000 acres of heather, however, the 80 acre area being re-seeded has no heather seed left in the soil to germinate so it needs to be brought in.

As the heather coverage and condition improves, Garrigill Estate has employed a further moorland keeper to help manage the area. Within a few years it is hoped that the extra outlay will be repaid by an increase in the grouse population and number of let shooting days.

Said Chris Collier, Cumbria Tourist Board’s Chief Executive: “Grouse shooting makes a considerable contribution to the conservation of our stunning heather moorland, which, along with the rich and rare bird life it supports, attracts all kinds of visitors to the county. Not only will the area become more beautiful in the autumn months through this regeneration project, but the land will also be able to sustain more shooting days. With about 16 people in an average shooting party, the money spent in rural hotels, local shops and garages is substantial and very welcome. Garrigill Estate will also benefit from increased revenue which will help to retain the land under traditional management and therefore safeguard the habitat for the future.”

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Notes to Editors
It is The Moorland Association’s aim to halt the loss of heather moorland and secure its future. Nearly 200,000 acres of heather were lost following World War 2 owing to commercial afforestation, land reclamation for more intensive farming, a huge increase in sheep numbers and the spread of bracken.



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Garrigill re-seeding/3


Notes to Editors contd…..


There are a total of 280 regularly occurring birds in the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. At least 46 (16%), of these bird species occur regularly on heather moorland to feed and/or breed.

More information on the work of the Moorland Association can be found on www.moorlandassociation.org