RSPB Geltsdale - Geltsdale Reserve Office
A WREN grant of almost £140,000, awarded will be used to help restore Geltsdale nature reserve's nationally important ancient upland moorlands to their former glory including the Cumbrian reserve's areas of blanket bog, a quilt of rich and wet peatland vegetation that takes thousands of years to form. The blanket bog at Geltsdale RSPB is very important as it is home to a huge range of wildlife including internationally important numbers of moorland breeding birds such as golden plover, hen harrier and merlin.
In addition to blanket bog restoration, the WREN grant will enable Geltsdale to rejuvenate its areas of dry heathland, a habitat, which also supports numerous important species of bird.
Steve Garnett, RSPB Moorland Warden at Geltsdale said: "The combination of commercial forestry planting and overgrazing has led to a worrying decline in both blanket bog and upland heath in Cumbria. Since these habitats take so long to form, it is vital that we restore the existing areas so it is great that we've now got the means to do it.
He added: "Helping to return the habitats to their natural state will ensure that visitors to Geltsdale will be able to enjoy watching a range of rare birds for many years to come."
Images courtessy of www.rspb.org.uk
