Pennines delight as drone survey offers hope for one of UK’s rarest birds

A team from the RSPB used drones to survey the Cumbrian Pennines, a region of England known for its peat bogs and habitats of the endangered dunlin bird. The survey, funded by Natural England, found tiny chicks in hard-to-reach areas, including on the High Helbeck estate where landowners had created habitat for the birds. The estate managers restored 79 hectares of peatland and created 25 new wader "scrapes", shallow pools where the birds pick through to find food. Dunlins have declined globally by at least 20% since the early 2000s, with the UK species now classified as red-listed due to habitat loss and climate change. The survey found that high-quality habitats corresponded with the presence of dunlin chicks. This project demonstrates how investing in nature can deliver benefits for everyone, according to Natural England officials.