Bolton Castle Estate ensuring curlew doesn't become extinct

Moorland Association member Bolton Castle Estate has won the Upland Curlew Award at the North of England Curlew Conservation Awards, organised by the National Parks and National Landscapes in the north of England for its work in protecting the species.

The awards are presented to farmers and landowners who have contributed to curlew conservation.

Curlew Conservation Awards ceremony at Masham Town Hall (Image: MOORLAND ASSOCIATION)

Tom, Lord Bolton, said: “I am delighted to accept this award and I am determined to ensure a future for the curlew in the Yorkshire Dales. The curlew is one of Britain’s most beautiful and evocative birds, and yet it faces the real possibility of extinction in many parts of the country.

“Where we have combined our efforts with other conservationists and farmers across the region, we have seen significant progress. We must continue to use every tool at our disposal to save this precious species.”

Bolton Castle Estate ensuring Curlew doesn't become extinct

 

Land managers at Bolton identify three factors that are crucial to helping upland birds such as the curlew to survive and thrive – control of abundant predators such as foxes and stoats, habitat conservation to ensure there are suitable nesting sites, and partnership working to ensure that landowners and members of the public across the north of England are aware of measures that can prevent accidental nest destruction.

Upland Curlew Award presented to Bolton Castle Estate (Image: MOORLAND ASSOCIATION)

Andrew Gilruth, chief executive of the Moorland Association, added: “We congratulate Bolton Castle Estate on this well-deserved award.

"The grouse moors of the north of England are a stronghold for the curlew, along with other rare ground-nesting birds such as lapwing, golden plover and merlin.

"Numerous studies show that curlew are four times as likely to fledge chicks successfully on a grouse moor as any other landholding.

"Curlew are virtually extinct in the southern half of England, and only consistent conservation work can protect them in the north. If we safeguard our grouse moors we will be protecting our curlew for future generations.”

In 2019 Bolton Castle Estate won a prestigious ‘Life on Land’ award for its curlew abundance from conservation charity Red List Revival. 

In addition, a pair of osprey have nested on the estate since 2022, the first record of successful osprey breeding in Yorkshire since records began in the 1800s.

The estate also hosts annual Moorland Safaris for members of the public to raise awareness of the importance of conservation measures for rare birds such as the curlew, lapwing and kestrel.