A PROJECT that trials the involvement of gamekeepers and farmers in surveying breeding waters in the Yorkshire Dales has been welcomed by the Moorland Association.

A report from the British Trust for Ornithology revealed high densities of breeding Curlew, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe in the upland project area covering moorland and farm land.

The project asked gamekeepers, which were based at the Bolton Castle Estate in Wensleydale, to monitor breeding waders in the course of their routine work during the breeding season.

Thirty-four nests were monitored with cameras and temperature recorders to pinpoint egg hatching or failure.

Overall, six out of every ten nests hatched chicks. Of the thirteen nests that failed, ten nests were predated, mainly by sheep, hedgehogs and badgers, or trampled by livestock.

There was no fox or small mammal predation recorded and only one nest fell victim to crows.

Amanda Anderson, Director of the Moorland Association, welcomed the report’s findings: "This report is hugely encouraging. It clearly states gamekeepers can be enthusiastic and accurate ‘citizen scientists’ in gathering information on breeding waders.

"It is also very heartening to see the reputation of grouse moors as strongholds for a wide range of waders is underpinned by the findings of this report."

A spokesperson for Bolton Castle estate said: "We were delighted to take part in this important trial. Moorland gamekeepers have a wealth of knowledge and field skills and are very proud of the assemblage, abundance and success of ground nesting birds on their patch.

"Harnessing this motivation to record what they see whilst going about day to day duties has been a relatively simple and enjoyable step that could be rolled out to other areas."

Wildlife Officer at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Ian Court, said: “The enthusiastic way in which the gamekeepers took to monitoring is really encouraging.

"As gamekeepers are on the moor for a significant proportion of their working day, they are ideally placed to help survey breeding waders."