The wildlife charity’s Whitelee Moor reserve near Byrness in Northumberland, is also a site of European Special Area for Conservation due to its rare blanket bog, heather moorland, rough grassland, and acid grassland. It is home to a variety of plants including sphagnum mosses, cloudberry, bog asphodel and cotton grasses.

In addition, the site is a haven for birds such as red grouse, and birds of prey including merlins, buzzards, peregrine falcons, and hen harriers. Otters often hunt around the river Rede and common lizards as well as palmate newts live in the small ponds along the burn.

The river Rede and its tributaries add to the reserve’s habitat diversity.

The findings from this year’s bird survey will provide the estates team with a snapshot of what’s happening with the habitats on the 1500 hectare and help them plan the future management of the area.

Two groups of staff and volunteers armed with binoculars and electronic survey equipment recorded 405 sightings of birds including skylarks, meadow pipits and ravens. Crossbills were also recorded on the site for the first time which is very encouraging news, together with the resident goats, rabbits and even an adder basking in the morning sunshine.

Geoff Dobbins, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Estates Officer says:

“Every year it’s an incredibly early start to get to Whitelee Moor for the bird survey, but it’s certainly worth it. To record the wonderful array of birds and other wildlife on this internationally recognised site and will help with our future plans.

“Peatlands, such Whitelee Moor, have the power to help lock up carbon, alleviate flooding, help wildlife recover and are central to our ability to address the climate crises, so it’s vitally important that we walk around the site to conduct our surveys.”