Moorland wildlife

FLORA

Heather dominates the moorland of the North York Moors National Park. From early July the bright coloured bell heather can be seen, soon to be followed by the paler cross-leaved heath. From mid August vast swathes of the moorland turn purple as 'ling' or common heather comes into flower.

You can also see many other species of heathland plants such as bilberry, crowberry, and wavy hair grass in the drier areas. Look out for cross-leaved heath where the ground is wetter.

Bog plants can be seen here too - sphagnum moss and the nodding cottonwool-like heads of common cotton grass. The flowers of bog asphodel, a scatter of yellow stars, can occasionally be seen.

Bracken often covers the moor edge slopes. Although disliked by farmers and grouse moor managers, it can be a home for whinchat and a refuge for plants such as chickweed wintergreen which are vulnerable to grazing.

Several of the less common plants found here are relics of the ice ages. As the climate warmed, lowland Britain became unsuitable for some species and their numbers dwindled. Juniper, dwarf cornel, bog rosemary and cloudberry can all be found in the uplands of the North York Moors but they are all rare here and are particularly vulnerable to the threats caused by climate change.

FAUNA

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

The moorland is internationally important for its breeding population of merlin, our smallest raptor. The merlin’s diet consists largely of small birds, with the odd small mammal and large insect. In the North York Moors, merlin breed in long heather and hunt over the moor, and nearby gill-side woods and farmland.

Golden plover (Pluvialis apricarius)

Currently between 2.3% and 3.1% of the British population of golden plover breed in the National Park. Grouse moor management can provide ideal breeding habitat. The birds nest in a shallow scrape, which is often obscured by vegetation. In the autumn the golden plover leave the Moors, heading to southern Britain to overwinter in the lowlands.

Red grouse (Lagopous lagopus scoticus)

Once considered the only bird unique to Britain, the red grouse is now considered to be a sub-species of the willow grouse which is found across northern Europe and America. Its noisy go-back, go-back, go-back cry is one of the distinctive sounds of the area.

Red grouse breed on open moorland dominated by heather, their preferred food being the young growth of heather and bilberry.

Curlew (Numenius arquata)

The curlew is the largest of our breeding waders and is easily recognized by its down-curved bill. The whistling cur-lee call is one of the most familiar sounds across the moors during the summer. After breeding on the moors and in-bye, most curlews migrate to the coast in winter where they are often found on mudflats, using their long bills to catch their invertebrate prey.

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

The lapwing is unmistakable, with its long wispy crest and broad rounded wings. The pee-wit call is characteristic. These birds can often be found breeding in groups and the spectacular nuptial flight is impressive as the males sweep round in broad circles before soaring up into the air and tumbling back down again. Like many of our moorland birds, lapwings are usually summer visitors, spending the winter in large flocks and often associating with golden plover.

Ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus)

The ring ouzel is the only British thrush that is a summer migrant, returning to breed after spending the winter in Spain or North-West Africa. On the North York Moors the species is usually associated with the moorland edge where, despite the male’s conspicuous plumage, you are more likely to hear the chack chack alarm call or fluty song than see the actual bird. Anyone who is lucky enough to see a ring ouzel hunting for its invertebrate prey will be struck by how similar the behaviour is to that of a blackbird.

Adder (Vipera berus)

The characteristic zigzag markings make the adder easy to recognize. Being reptiles and "cold-blooded", they need the sun's warmth to make them active. Adders feed mainly on small mammals such as voles, mice and shrews and do not bite humans or large animals except in self-defence. All native reptiles are legally protected and it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or sell them.

You may often see adders in spring when they bask in the sunshine on paths and walls. At this time of year they are sluggish and less able to move out of the way of people and dogs quickly. It is advisable to wear stout footwear and long socks or trousers and keep your dog from investigating basking adders. In the unlikely event of being bitten, it is wise to seek medical advice as adder bites can be quite serious. If a dog is bitten, it should be picked up and taken to a vet.