Peak District Rare Bird Numbers Increase

Jan. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Since 2004, numbers of dunlin have more than doubled from seven to 15 breeding pairs.  The dunlin is a small brown wading bird which has a shrill trilling call.  It is a red-listed species of high concern because its breeding population has suffered huge decline over the past four decades.  This is probably because it breeds in wet upland areas, which have been drying out over the past several years.  

The RSPB co-manages the site with United Utilities.  They think the rise in this bird species and other waders may possibly be the result of a programme of habitat restoration at the site.  United Utilities has been restoring the blanket bog over the past four years.  Blanket bog is a top layer of rich, wet peatland vegetation and is found in the uplands of the north and west in the UK.  The RSPB’s Peak District site manager Dave O’Hara has said, “It is very heartening to see the number of dunlin increase at Dove Stone as there are currently only around 500 pairs in England and fewer than 70 in the whole of the Peak District.  By restoring blanket bog, United Utilities have made the land wetter, creating more favourable conditions for species.  As the bog continues to be restored we hope that we will see an even greater increase in waders over the coming years.”

To see more wildlife in the peak district please visit

http://www.youtube.com/user/Peakdistrictonline#p/u/13/NXy...

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