Wildlife

No other prime wildlife habitat in England and Wales can match heather moorland for its sheer scale and quality. It is a landscape maintained without the use of fertilisers and without widespread disturbance of the soil. As a result, moorlands are a stable home to a range of wildlife. Some species, such as the Merlin and Golden plover depend heavily on the moors for their survival. Heather moorland is recognised by the European Community as a habitat of international importance. Many areas and their associated wet and boggy places are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Managed heather moor is most important for breeding birds. Many of these species are considered to be in danger or vulnerable.

Variations in the habitat suit different species. The red grouse, merlin, short-eared owl and hen harrier nest amongst the taller heather, where the plant growth provides them with cover. In contrast, the golden plover is often found nesting on the recently burned open areas. Similarly, Lapwing and Curlew only nest where the vegetation is short. Other wading birds such as snipe and redshank, as well as duck nest in the wetter areas. Moorland is also an important feeding area for the peregrine.

During the winter, only a few species of birds, including the hardy red grouse are found on the moors. In spring the scene changes dramatically. Large numbers of waders, which have spent the winter on lowland fields and estuaries, return to breed. Many of the birds which nest on the moor winter in this country. Others, such as whinchat, ring ouzel and cuckoo migrate from Africa.

The principal plants of the moor include ling, bell heather, cross-leaved heath and bilberry. In the wet flushes and boggy areas, sphagnum moss and cotton grass are common and bog asphodel and the insect-eating sundew are found.

Healthy populations of reptiles only occur where habitats are in good order. It is no surprise that adders and lizards are common on moorlands and slow worms are also found. Small mammals such as voles and mice are abundant. These provide a plentiful food supply for owls and other predators. The emperor moth is the most impressive insect on the moors with the large, colourful, dayflying males and grey females on the wing in April.

When undamaged land is ploughed, commercially planted with softwoods or otherwise modified for modern use, its natural and historical qualities are at least endangered and very often lost. It is a testimony to the importance of modern moorland management that nowhere else in England and Wales can you find landscape wildlife and historical conservation on such a scale and in such direct harmony with the economic uses to which the land is put.