Tweet of the Week
See below for recent bird sightings on and around the Walshaw Moor Estate, which includes Walshaw Dean, Wadsworth Moor, Shackleton Moor and Widdop Moor. Walshaw Moor is one of the most important breeding sites for ground-nesting birds in the UK, including Curlews, Lapwings and Golden Plovers. As well as being a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Walshaw Moor has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area for birds.
21 April 2026
A plethora of birds out and about on Shackleton Moor on World Curlew Day: lots of Curlews, needless to say, but also Golden Plovers, Lapwings, Red Kite, Buzzard and Northern Wheatear. The raptors were on the prowl, the Curlews were on the defensive, deterring predators with alarm calls and guarding the precious eggs in their nests
17 April 2026
No better tonic for a damp drizzly morning than the sight and sound of Curlews soaring over Walshaw Moor. The wet weather is ideal for them as they prod into the boggy ground with their scythe-like bills. Equally happy in the glistening morning dew are the equally abundant Lapwings. Over 40 spotted in less than an hour this morning on either side of Stairs Lane.
14 April 2026
Three Golden Plovers on Shackleton Moor, part of a large group of 14 feeding together on this part of Walshaw Moor. Golden Plovers are fairly elusive so it’s rare to see them in such large numbers, an indication of the importance of Walshaw Moor as a breeding site for this endangered species. The aptly named Northern Wheatear also spotted close by, very much at home on the moor.
13 April 2026
Lapwing settling down to nest on Walshaw Moor above Crimsworth Dean, where huge numbers can be seen every day at this time of year. Another Linnet spotted on the boundary of the moor today, indicating that their numbers are increasing here. Wrens also inhabit the fringes of Walshaw Moor and are often spotted on walls and fences.
10 April 2026
Male Linnet on the edge of Shackleton Moor. These birds have declined greatly in numbers in recent years and are now on the conservation Red List. Linnets are members of the finch family - as their beak indicates - and feed on insects and seeds.
8 April 2026
Red Kite soaring over Walshaw Moor above Hardcastle Crags in the mini heatwave just after Easter. The hot weather also brought out the Buzzards who regularly hunt over the moor. Good to see that the Northern Wheatears have returned to their customary summer nesting sites on the fringes of the moor.
6 April 2026
Siskin on Walshaw Moor above Hardcastle Crags, spotted in the vicinity of a conifer plantation which provides their food. Grey Wagtails are back from their winter migration on Alcomden Water in Blake Dean.
4 April 2026
Lots of Lapwings on the moor above Lower Walshaw Dean Reservoir, one of their favoured nesting sites. The three reservoirs are also popular with Oystercatchers - around 30 seen there today. Less easy to spot are the Golden Plovers on the highest part of moor en route to Walshaw, but all the more rewarding to photograph as a result.
30 March 2026
Lots of Curlews feeding and nesting on Walshaw Moor above Crimsworth Dean. Stonechats have also returned to the upper end of the valley, and Dippers are flitting about on Grain Water, one of the many streams that run off the moor.
27 March 2026
Sparrowhawk hunting over Walshaw Moor at far end of Crimsworth Dean in the late afternoon sunshine. A charm of Goldfinches on the fringes of the moor. Large numbers of Curlews and Lapwings grazing on the rough pasture of Walshaw Moor.
26 March 2026
Four Oystercatchers on Walshaw Moor above Hardcastle Crags. Flocks of Lapwings flying overhead and alighting to graze on the moor with the Curlews.
23 March 2026
Meadow Pipit alighting on the heather on Shackleton Hill. Lots of Lapwings dipping and diving over the moor as they perform their energetic mating rituals.
17 March 2026
Snipes have now joined the Curlews and Lapwings on Walshaw Moor. Often not spotted close at hand until disturbed, their wuthering calls high above the moor are unmistakable.
10 March 2026
An astonishing number of Curlews and Lapwings on Walshaw Moor at the head of Crimsworth Dean this morning. Lapwings busy performing their aerial acrobatics and Curlews singing as they soar over the moor as the mating season begins in earnest.
4 March 2026
Walshaw Moor is getting busier by the day. Pink-footed Geese have arrived to breed Wadsworth Moor, joining the Curlews, Lapwings, Skylarks and Golden Plovers.
3 March 2026
Increasing numbers of Curlews congregating in and around Crimsworth Dean, feeding on the rough pasture and breeding on Walshaw Moor. Four Buzzards wheeling overhead in the warm spring sunshine.
1 March 2026
Numerous Curlews and Skylarks on Shackleton Moor this morning. A large flock of Lapwings flying overhead, heading for their breeding site on Walshaw Moor.
27 February 2026
Lots of Meadow Pipits flitting around on the fringes of Walshaw Moor above Crimsworth Dean, the first Oystercatcher of the season, two Kestrels and four Golden Plovers.
24 February 2026
The Curlews have returned en masse to Crimsworth Dean. They nest on the fringes of Walshaw Moor at the head of the valley and can be seen on both sides of Stairs Lane (Haworth Old Road). On the top of the moor, there are Skylarks in abundance and Golden Plovers can also be heard.
21 February 2026
Skylarks singing on Shackleton Hill this morning. The Curlews are also returning to their favoured nesting site on Shackleton Moor. Five Curlews were spotted this morning, and a large flock of around 30 Lapwings flew overhead.
14 February 2026
Valentine’s Day marked the return of Lapwings to breed in Walshaw Dean. Several Lapwings heard calling today on the moorland above Lower Walshaw Reservoir.
28 January 2026
Golden Plovers are back on Wadsworth Moor. Group of 8 Golden Plovers spotted flying over the moor this morning.