Situated near Byrness, the 1500 hectare site is a National Nature Reserve, site of Special Scientific Interest and a European Special Area of Conservation due to its rare blanket bog, heather moorland, rough grassland, and acid grassland, the amazing site is home to a variety of plants including sphagnum mosses, cloudberry, bog asphodel and cotton grasses. The river Rede and its tributaries add to the reserve’s habitat diversity.

Setting off at 4am and armed with binoculars and electronic survey equipment, two groups walked over 14km each on separate transects covering as much of the site and as many of the habitats as possible to record sightings.

Despite the unusually chilly morning, snipe, skylarks, grasshopper warblers, sand martins, sand pipers, ravens, goosander, and willow warblers serenaded staff and volunteers.

On an even more positive note, the teams were especially pleased to hear lots of whinchat whistles and trills as the population appears to have increased on across the reserve over the past couple of years. 

Parched peat and bleached sphagnum, which was photographed during last year’s survey has recovered, with staff keeping their fingers crossed for a normal summer with no prolonged periods of hot, dry weather. 

As well as birds the site continues to teem with other wildlife including the resident feral goats, brown hare, common lizard, and roe deer.

Plants such as marsh valerian, wood anemones, wood sorrel, and lady’s smock were growing in abundance which is great news as they are a brilliant source of food for the resident orange tip and green-veined white butterflies.

As with previous year, the results of the 2026 survey will help the wildlife charity plan important habitat management, such as recent peatland restoration, wildflower seeding, and tree planting.

Geoff Dobbins, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Estates Manager says:

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

For more information on the Whitelee Moor Reserve visit www.nwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/whitelee-moor