Moorland species

 Local

 trend

 Possible cause

Suggested management goals for individual species

Red Grouse

 ****

rejuvination of heather to reduce fire hazard. Numbers may increase but size of heather moor is limiting factor.

Eurasian Curlew

 ****

avoid increasing grazing pressure above present limits

Skylark

 ----

cessation of grazing on moor. Not coincident with national decline

restore former grassland, eliminate bracken and maintain  present grazing pressure to meet specific habitat requirements

Whinchat

 ** --

spread of bracken into former grassland

eliminate bracken from former grassland areas by suitable chemical, mechanical or grazing routines

Tree Pipit

 ****

spread of bracken + national decline possibly responsible for low numbers in 1996

assist tree colonisation of selected areas of former mixed vegetation and eliminate bracken from areas which have become unsuitable

Meadow Pipit

 ****

maintain heather in open rejuvinated condition and remove colonizing birch and rowan

Linnet

 ++++

recent national increases + possible regional changes in farming practices

no action required. Suitable habitat is available and increasing without management

Yellowhammer

 ** --

decline of national population

leave scrub already established to develop. Occupancy may depend on national population level

Reed Bunting

 **--

low levels of national population

no action required providing wet habitat does not dry out

Woodland species

Woodcock

 ****

retain present woodland structure and avoid undue disturbance from the public

Redstart

 ** -- 

decline in national population at periphery of range

retain present woodland structure

Wood Warbler

 ****

avoid changing traditional occupied woodland sites

Common Redpoll

 ----

national decline

none likely to benefit species while national population at its present level