Living Uplands’s sixth annual bird count.

This sixth annual bird count on a section of Co. Durham upland moor took place the long hot summer much of the UK has experienced was still to come.

Our annual bird count takes place early May and early June. Durham Wildlife Trust Young Volunteers joined with the second count, and gained a great opportunity to learn about Weardale upland birds.

Looking back over the Winter and Spring months, we don't see exceptional snowfall, there is steady rainfall, it is a little more blowy than other years, and the sun is shining slightly less than the past two years.

In summary, at the time of the bird count it had been a mild winter and warmish spring with average rain and sunshine, though a little windier than other years. Overall, it was almost perfect weather for all ground-nesting birds.

Nature never stands still. Weather impacts on the breeding season, relative to seasons in other years. The conditions on the day dictate how likely it might be to spot birds. As is often the case the elements always have the potential to impact the count on any given day.

In May, the weather was dry cool and a little windy. Many birds were still nesting and there are usually fewer counted in May, any year, than in June.

In June it was windy and cloudy on the day of the count. A near perfect spring also meant the grass had grown longer than in previous years, hiding many of the ground-nesting birds taking shelter from the windy conditions.

Over the two bird count sessions six species were spotted. Five of these are Red and Amber listed endangered birds:

RED: Black Grouse, Curlew and Lapwing;

AMBER: Lesser Black Backed Gull and Black Headed Gull.

Corvids seem to be ever prevalent.

Living Uplands's long-term project to count birds, year to year on same basis, is important in understanding our upland environment. Despite the variables, trends are still identifiable. On this moor there is a clear carrying capacity of Curlew, Lapwing and Black-headed Gulls. The Lesser Black-backed Gull seems to be a settled presence on the moor.

There has also been a steady number of Black Grouse counted across the six years. We know from a longer-term lek located count by the Game & Wildlife Conservancy Trust that although numbers have fluctuated over the years, when weather conditions are unfavourable for survival or breeding, that the carrying capacity of this species is secure.

Even better news is that since the second count, and despite the long hot spell, past investment in peatland restoration means there are still plenty of insects. Water levels, though less, remain healthy on the upper moors.

Damp moorland is of course not just good for insects, and the birds which feed on them, but also brings reduced risk of wildfire which in this year is all too present a risk.

Remember, take your litter home and don't use a disposable bar-b-que on open land or drop cigarette ash or butts on the ground.

Be safe, and keep our uplands safe for our extraordinary bird population.