News

WATCH OUT, CHICKS ABOUT! SPRING IS IN THE AIR ON THE MOORS.

2nd April, 2003

The Moorland Association today warned walkers, cyclists and horse riders to be particularly careful when out on the moors, and to keep their dogs under close control and preferably on a lead, at all times from now until the end of July. Rare ground nesting birds are now breeding and are easily disturbed.

Supported by all the major northern National Park and AONB Authorities* containing heather moorland, Ian Court, Species Officer for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said: “With so many of Britain’s birds in decline and ‘Open Access’ on moorland becoming a reality by 2005, it is increasingly important for visitors to understand the wildlife that relies on this rare habitat. Spring is also lambing time in the hills – later than in lowland areas - and farmers greatly appreciate dogs being kept strictly under control. We are working very closely with land owners, farmers and managers to help minimise the impact that increased access will have whilst enhancing people’s knowledge and enjoyment of these beautiful working landscapes.”

Said Simon Bostock, Chairman of The Moorland Association: “Moorland ground nesting birds, such as curlew, lapwing, merlin, golden plover, redshank, snipe and dunlin are very vulnerable to disturbance from humans and dogs, as well as predators such as crows, foxes, stoats and weasels. The work of gamekeepers helps to even the odds, and hence heather moorland managed for grouse is crucial for the success of many rare birds, but visitors too can help. I urge them all to minimise disturbance by sticking to rights of way, paths and roads and by keeping their dogs on short leads”.
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There are several species of wading bird that spend the winter in coastal and low-lying farm land and then return to Britain’s moorland to nest in the Spring. As lowland arable farms have changed through intensified agricultural practice, they have lost their appeal as breeding sites leaving well managed heather moorland as an increasingly important breeding ground for birds such as the curlew, lapwing and golden plover.”

The North York Moors National Park and local Moorland Association members have just started a joint study to find out if the virus known as ‘Louping Ill’ is killing off rare golden plover. Bracken, which can take over and ruin rare moorland habitat, harbours ticks that transfer the Louping Ill virus to lambs, hares and red grouse. If the results are conclusive, it is hoped that Government funding will be made available to effectively control the growth and spread of bracken on open moorland and to eradicate Louping Ill through sheep vaccination and effective tick control.


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Notes to editors
* Peak District, North York Moors, Northumberland, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authorities and Forest of Bowland and North Pennine Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It is The Moorland Association’s aim to halt the loss of heather moorland and secure its future. 75% of the World’s heather moorland is found in Britain and, due to its scarcity and the rare wildlife it supports, over 60% of heather moorland is now designated as either Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and/or Special areas of Conservation (SAC).

Six of the moorland breeding birds are on the Red List of Europe’s most threatened birds and a further seven are on the Amber List, with a breeding season from March to July. In total there are 17 birds that rely on open, undisturbed moorland for breeding plus a further 35 species which rely on the moorland fringe habitat. Some ground nesting birds scared off their nests by dogs or humans do not return to their eggs or newly hatched chicks.