Black Grouse restoration and conservation.
Living Uplands has a particular focus on collating data in the Uplands. Collecting data over time provides an ability to consider what might be impacting across the landscape by reviewing trends and changes within the information collated.
Seventh annual Bird Count
An annual survey of bird numbers in the uplands is in its seventh year. Nature Rangers and Young Rangers from Durham Wildlife Trust joined an expert land manger to conduct the count and report on the health of birdlife in the Weardale uplands.
Building data – BTO bird count a welcome addition.
To be able to know what to improve to assure efforts are targetted and both time and money is well spent, and to be able to demonstrate improvement, it all starts with collecting as much information (data) as may be available.
FIre risk increasing
It is not just hot weather that is increasing the risk of fire in the uplands. That dry spells seem to be longer, and hotter than previously is added to the increased prevalence of deliberate fire starting. Carelessness, and thoughtlessness doesn't help.
St Beuno's curlew
Dark skies, starry nights
A whiter shade of pale.
One story is that the "Fairy Hole' caves of Weardale are named because of these pale creatures in the waters.
The Short-eared Owl is the subject of our New FREE education pack.
The graceful and nomadic short-eared owl is the subject of the latest Living Uplands FREE educational resource.
Weardale's Annual Tractor run 2022
The Queens Jubilee Beacon lighting
Plastics – Source to Sea
Living Uplands along with Durham Wildlife Trust and Teesside University is undertaking a project looking at plastics in the River Wear, source to sea, and engaging communities on what can be done to reduce pollution.
A fresh look at Freshwater life in Weardale
From being reported in 1903, as a salmon river 'ruined by pollution' so that 'there is nothing to be said about its angling', the River Wear, and its tributaries has much to offer today to anyone interested in its natural history.
A rich diversity of Weardale fauna.
Wolf, Wild Boar, and Aurochs (wild cattle) no longer roam Weardale, the hunting forests of the Bishop Princes gone, but there remains a wide and varied diversity in the fauna of the region.
Five-Year bird count milestone
Living Uplands has reached a small milestone, with the fifth consecutive bird count with Durham Wildlife Trust. This annual exercise is building a valuable data set of birdlife on a particular section of upland moor.
Botanical interests
Upper Weardale has plenty of botanical interest, shaped by its unique history and variety of habitats and plant communities.
The changing weather in Weardale
The Pennines are unique in England as the only significant upland area not close to the sea, with climatic implications. Weather patterns in the Upper Dale on the Pennines have changed in the past 20 years.
Talking about Conservation
Taking a view across the Natural History of Upper Weardale, Durham Wildlife Trust Director, Jim Cokill, considers the challenges and potential for conservation in the Dale.
Geomorphology. Bedrocks.
Despite being a region that has been cloaked in glacier ice many times during the ice age, the physical landscape of the North Pennines is strongly controlled by the structure of its bedrock.
Enjoy the great outdoors, responsibly.
In an official study most people agreed that natural spaces are good for mental health and wellbeing. More than 40% noticed that nature, wildlife, and visiting local green and natural spaces have been even more important to their wellbeing.
Underneath the surface of Upper Weardale
The latest chapter to be uploaded to the Natural History of Upper Weardale is on "Bedrock Geology", what could be described as the foundation of our landscape. What lies beneath the surface shapes and influences what we see above.
The Natural History of Upper Weardale - opening online
Over the coming months further chapters will be available online, following this first Chapter on "people". The Natural History of Upper Weardale will be a valuable companion to the previously published and highly appreciated History of Upper Teesdale.
Just published - the Natural History of Upper Weardale
The Natural History of Upper Weardale will be a valuable companion to the previously published and highly appreciated History of Upper Teesdale.
NEW - Education Pack on Curlew
The magical curlew is the subject of the latest Living Uplands educational resource. This new pack provides for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils, with lots of activity and learning for the classroom in school or at home.
Natural History content is live.
Content for the Natural History section of the website has been under development over recent months. First to be added is an online access to the Natural History of Upper Teesdale book, the most recent edition published by Durham Wildlife Trust.
Helping out the community
An update on some local charity work to help support local communities and their businesses.
The Lapwings' Diary
Our photographer kept a diary of a number of Lapwings, from April to June, to add a little colour and additional information to the basic data the annual count provides.
The return of 'Ratty'
Collated data and research was used to develop a strategy to halt the decline and aid recovery of the water vole across the Tyne, Wear and Tees; and a successful application to National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the Naturally Native project.
Free education resources available
Free to use education resource provides teacher plans and pupil activity for Key State 1 & 2. Easy to download. First pack now available, more soon.
Moorland canvases
Winners and runners-up in the "Views of Weardale" photo competition have each received a canvas copy print of their winning image. We hope that this memento will take pride of place on their walls.
Understanding the origins of 'blanket bog' on our Uplands.
Blanket bog represents around 6% of UK land, and the popular view is that these expanses were created by early human populations clearing forest. Research suggests that climate rather than land-use history might explain blanket bog distribution.
Two thirds of upland birds on endangered list.
Across four years of data collection, the range of birds counted includes two-thirds that are on either the red or amber BTO endangered list.
A time of promise on the Uplands
The promise of new life on the Uplands makes spring an early summer a wonderful time of year.
Year 3 of Bird Monitoring programme
Going underground.
Exploring the fascinating underworld of the "Hypogenic Caves of the North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark"
Beneath the surface
Exploring the fascinating underworld of the "Hypogenic Caves of the North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark"
Birds at risk
Returning to count birds for the third year, the young volunteers learned of challenges ahead for endangered birds on the moor.
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