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.
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 moorland pasture on either side of Stairs Lane.
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.