Thank you to the Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group for sharing this short video and the accompanying words below. You can find their Facebook page here.
Originally posted on 24th February 2024
Can you imagine a nature reserve where thousands of rare waders come to breed? A place that is beautiful to the eye, rich in wildlife and even accessible all year round? Could you imagine this magical place that costs the public nothing? There isn't even an admission fee to enter?
Well imagine no more because these places already exist. They're called managed moorlands and this week has seen the first trickles of returning waders like curlews, golden plover, lapwings and oystercatchers. These red and amber listed birds will soon swell their ranks here in the Dales to begin their breeding cycle once more.
Managed estates are the only breeding sites where these birds are plentiful and holding their own in terms of breeding success. Our gamekeepers are proud of these birds and every year they make an outstanding effort to safeguard them for everyone to enjoy. With sights like these they have cause for personal satisfaction.