Ground Nest Fest 2025 – Celebrating ground nesting birds
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Wild Ingleborough and Yorkshire Peat Partnership programmes have joined forces to launch Ground Nest Fest 2025
Although a common sight in the Yorkshire landscape, several ground nesting species such as the lapwing, and particularly the curlew, face an uncertain future as their numbers are in steep decline.
Between Friday 2nd and Saturday 10th May, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Ground Nest Fest will be hosting a variety of events around Ingleborough, Malham and Wharfdale inviting the public to learn more about these birds and the habitats that support them.
Guided walks will take in the dawn chorus at Ingleborough and Denton Moor, a farmer-led walk above Malham and a visit to the raised bog at Swarth Moor will explore sympathetic land management; there will be creative and crafty workshops to suit all ages, and the programme will finish up with a Community Day at the Folly in Settle with drop-in activities and workshops running all day.
Lucy Lee, Yorkshire Peat Partnership’s Wilder Communities Engagement Officer aid there was an exciting programme for visitors.
“We’ve got expert naturalists, ornithologists and farmers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale National Landscape on hand to share their knowledge and expertise, as well as creative practitioners who are passionate about protecting and preserving these iconic species.”
Yorkshire is a stronghold in England for many ground-nesting birds; the county holds 43% of the curlew’s breeding population, 57% of the short-eared owl’s breeding population and 56% of breeding ring ouzel. It is vital we do everything we can to help them to breeding success.
Ellie Parker, Wild Ingleborough Community Engagement Officer, said everyone can play a part in the ftre for these birds.
“Whether you volunteer to monitor the health of peat bogs, count curlews or simply keep your dog on a lead and encourage others to do the same.”
Find out more about Ground Nest Fest, curlews and other ground nesting birds, and the moors, meadows and peatlands they live in at the website.