Comprehensive summer survey to assess Moorland bird populations on Dartmoor

A significant survey of key moorland bird species is underway this summer on Dartmoor. The initiative, a collaboration between the South West Peatland Partnership (SWPP), the RSPB, Dartmoor National Park Authority, and the Ministry of Defence, aims to evaluate bird populations and the impact of peatland restoration efforts.

The survey, previously conducted in 2010, 2014, and 2018, aims not only to monitor bird species numbers but also to assess conditions conducive to breeding. The data collected will help track changes in bird populations and habitats over the past 14 years.

Peatland restoration on Dartmoor is critical for improving degraded peat bogs, which provides numerous benefits for water quality, wildlife, archaeology, and local communities, especially in the face of the climate crisis. The SWPP's efforts to enhance the hydrological function of Dartmoor’s peat bogs are key to diversifying wildlife habitats, preventing erosion, and slowing water flow from the moors.

Moorland bird species are declining due to habitat changes caused by human activities. Peatland restoration has proven to help these birds thrive again. This summer's survey will contribute to the public record of birdlife in central and northern Dartmoor, aiding in understanding the distribution patterns of key species. It will help the SWPP and its partners assess how peatland restoration benefits specific species, such as the dunlin and curlew, and identify areas where future restoration can have the most positive impact.

Eddie Adam, SWPP Monitoring Manager, spoke about the importance of the 2024 survey in understanding peatland health, particularly for indicator species like the dunlin: “Peatland restoration is already making a hugely positive impact on Dartmoor. This landscape-scale approach not only bolsters bird populations but also enhances a more diverse upland habitat for a range of insects and plants. By refining restoration methods based on RSPB survey data, the SWPP can help species like the dunlin, which rely on water in the landscape for their food, habitat, and nesting sites, while also addressing peatland erosion and improving overall peatland health.”

Helen Booker, RSPB Senior Conservation Officer, added: “Dunlin rely on good quality blanket bogs for breeding, needing the peat to be wet with small pools. Their presence is a good indicator of the condition of the peatland. We have seen dunlin numbers respond positively to peatland restoration in previous years as the bogs hold water even in dry years. This year's survey will investigate if that positive trend has continued.”

Oliver Howells, Principal Ecologist for the Ministry of Defence, commented: “Nationally, the MOD training estate includes 50,000 hectares of peatland, and we support the restoration of degraded peat due to its multiple benefits for climate and biodiversity. This often involves partnerships with other organisations, as is the case on Dartmoor, where we have supported the SWPP for several years through funding from our Conservation Stewardship Fund. Monitoring breeding wader activity is a good way to assess habitat change for peatlands, and comprehensive breeding bird surveys on Dartmoor make this possible. We are excited to see if breeding dunlin numbers have continued to increase.”

This summer's survey is a crucial step in understanding and enhancing the health of Dartmoor's peatlands and the diverse wildlife they support.