Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes a renewed sense of life and movement across the North Pennines uplands. While the heather burning season legally runs until 15th April, in practice very few estates continue into April. This decision reflects a shared commitment to protecting ground-nesting and breeding birds, ensuring they are given the best possible conditions as the season begins.
From this point forward, most vegetation management will pause until after the bird breeding season, allowing the moors to settle into this vital period undisturbed.
Already, the signs of spring are unmistakable. The moors are filling once again with the sights and sounds of returning birdlife. Curlew calls echo across the hills, Lapwing display overhead, and Meadow Pipits flit among the grasses. Golden Plover are back on territory, and today has brought even more encouraging sightings, Redshank, a pair of Merlin, a pair of Hen Harrier, a single Ring Ouzel, and a small number of Wheatears.
It is a brilliant and uplifting time of year, as the uplands come alive once more after the quieter winter months.
We invite you to follow our social media pages to witness the transformation for yourself and share in the spectacle of our managed moors bursting back into life.
Images: Emily Graham Media