One of the most unusual land management and conservation projects ever attempted in this country is under way on a moorland just outside Langholm in Dumfries-shire.
The Langholm Moor Demonstration Project involves managing a large red grouse moor on Buccleuch Estates. The moor includes around 7,600 hectares (18,780 acres) protected under European law because of its importance to hen harriers. These superb birds of prey are known to hunt grouse, so it’s unusual to be managing a moor for grouse shooting and at the same time helping hen harriers to flourish.
Funding is coming from SNH,
Buccleuch Estates, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Natural England and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The organisations are working together to try and find practical solutions so that hen harriers and grouse can live together. Historically, the Langholm community have had mixed views about management of the moor. The estate stopped grouse shooting and withdrew all their keepers in 1998, and many bird species declined as a result. Now the eyes of Europe are on this high-profile project, which will have a huge influence on the future of Britain’s moorlands. However, the local community remain largely unaware of how important the project is or the economic benefits the moor could bring locally. The education project that I run – co-funded by SNH and Dumfries & Galloway’s LEADER programme – aims to improve understanding of the role that people play in managing the moor. We also want to make sure that the community are involved in how the project goes forward.
I work alongside the moorland management staff to raise awareness about what’s going on. We’ve developed a programme of open days, events and activities involving local schools and colleges. We’ve also recruited volunteers to work
www.snh.gov.uk
on practical conservation tasks on the moor, such as tree planting and putting up bird boxes. And local primary schools have enjoyed days out, dipping for freshwater minibeasts and discovering the small mammals that live hidden beneath the heather and grasses. In addition, school groups have explored the community aspect of the moor. Children have visited head keeper Simon Lester and local moorland farmer Ian Cuthbert to learn about managing and farming the moorland. And a recent wild food forage event was a great success, opening eyes to the range of edible moorland plants and animals. Cumbrian chef and wild food expert John Crouch rustled up a tasty feast from the edible treats found on our moorland forage, served up with rabbit that the gamekeepers provided. Our plans for this season include a guided walk around the moorland and a dawn chorus walk with a difference, focusing on the unique sounds of the moor. The wild food event held last autumn will be repeated this spring and a moorland fungi walk is planned for later in the season. Our website,
www.langholmmoorland.co.uk, holds details of all the upcoming events. One of our big hopes for this season is that funding will come through to pay for a hen harrier remote viewing facility. Nest cameras are quite commonplace now, but cameras on hen harrier nests are few and far between. It would provide a great opportunity for locals and visitors to Langholm to see these wonderful birds in the nest. Longer term, a moorland visitor centre is a possibility, providing a base for visitors and education groups to learn more about the moor.
On a personal note, I’m really enjoying my role as moorland education officer. It’s given me the chance to combine my love of upland wildlife and enthusing people about the beautiful moorland landscape. And I’m delighted at the welcome I’ve received from the local community. It’s great to be living and working in the beautiful surroundings of Langholm, and I think this project presents a great opportunity for local folk to become actively and positively involved.
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Hen harrier chicks in the nest on Langholm Moor.
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A couple of pupils from Langholm Academy give Cat Barlow a helping hand with bird box building.
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