Birds of grazed moors, heaths and rough grasslands

Many of these species, such as Whinchat, Curlew and Cuckoo, once bred across Devon but are now confined to the county’s uplands.

There are now only a few pairs of Curlew attempting to breed on Dartmoor.

Nightjars fly from Africa to breed here and their numbers seem to be increasing.

What we need to do and where
Brown dappled whinchat balancing on a branch

Whinchat, Matt Knott

Dunlin, Bob Brewer

Grey, brown and black patterned nightjar, sat on a log with his eyes closed

Nightjar at Bystock Pools, Matt Knott

1. About

Devon’s invertebrate-rich tussocky heaths, moors, rough grasslands, bogs and mires provide food, shelter and nesting sites for a wide range of birds. However, due to changes in land use, habitat loss and a decline in its condition, many of the birds that use these habitats are now threatened and in Devon are largely confined to our uplands.  

While Golden Plover no longer breed on Dartmoor’s blanket bogs, there is a small breeding population of Dunlin. However, Golden Plover may return if large areas of suitable habitat are restored.

Species such as Curlew, Cuckoo, Snipe and Whinchat once bred across Devon but are now mainly found on Dartmoor and Exmoor. Due to changes in land use and numbers of predators it’s very likely that Curlew will only ever be able to breed in Devon on the uplands as they need large, open landscapes with minimal trees and scrub. While they were widespread across north Devon in the 1980s, the landscape is now more wooded and the remaining open areas are largely intensive pasture (silage and heavily grazed). Although there is potential for Cuckoo and Whinchat to breed across the county again, the areas with greatest potential for these species are the open moorland and surrounding land on Dartmoor and Exmoor.

The other species discussed below remain more widespread on Devon’s insect-rich heaths, moors and rough grasslands, including our coasts. However, they all remain threatened or vulnerable to further declines. Species such as Grasshopper Warbler and Meadow Pipit have declined in our lowland areas and are now more common in the uplands.

Both Lapwing and Ring Ouzel are likely to be lost as breeding species on Dartmoor in the next few years even though there is still suitable habitat. Red-backed Shrike is also a very rare breeder on Dartmoor, although it’s thought there is enough suitable habitat. Merlin haven’t bred on Dartmoor since the late 1960s and may no longer breed on Exmoor. Reasons why Lapwing and Merlin no longer successfully breed on Dartmoor include pressures from predators and recreation.

Skylark, Linnet and Yellowhammer are Devon Special Species that will benefit from the actions listed below. Find out more about them in the Lowland farmland birds group.

Key pressures and opportunities

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Upland habitat management

The overriding need in the uplands is to help those who own and farm moorland to manage their land with a stronger focus on nature recovery. The condition of breeding bird habitat has deteriorated with undergrazing in higher, more inaccessible areas allowing Purple Moor-grass to dominate and overgrazing in other areas reducing the habitat structure birds need for nesting. There is currently a focus on how Dartmoor commons are managed, following the Fursdon review and led by the Land Use Management Group, which will hopefully lead to a positive way forward for farming and wildlife. There are also huge opportunites through Landscape Recovery Projects on Dartmoor and Exmoor. 

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Lowland habitat

There have been huge losses of habitat in lowland areas and a reduction in habitat quality and food (invertebrates). Incentives are needed to allow a network of healthy habitats to be restored across the county that will provide grazing for livestock, habitat and recreational opportunities. There are significant opportunities through habitat management work already being carried out across Devon including Landscape Recovery Projects such as at Luppitt in the Blackdown Hills, restoration of quarries in the Bovey Basin and at Lee Moor, work on heathlands in east Devon by the RSPB and East Devon District Council and on Culm grasslands by Devon Wildlife Trust and others in the north of the county.

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Peatland restoration

Current and planned work to restore peatland habitats on Dartmoor and Exmoor should benefit some of these species, in particular Dunlin, Snipe and Grasshopper Warbler.  

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Recreational disturbance

Recreational activities, especially dog walking, can disturb ground-nesting species. There are several projects that aim to reduce recreational disturbance on Dartmoor and the Pebblebed Heaths. 

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Predation

Ground-nesting species such as Curlew and Lapwing are increasingly vulnerable to predation (especially by crows and foxes) as their numbers decline due to habitat loss. Habitat restoration should be the priority, but targeted measures to reduce predation are also likely to be needed.   

2. What we need to do and where

Devon Special Species

See Find out more below for links to more detailed information including management advice and records.

A Dunlin sits on a piece of rocky coast looking to the right, out to sea. It has a white bib and belly, with pale brown- yellow legs. The back, wings, and head are a mottled light brown, getting lighter towards the head. The beak is a very pale brown and long and thin, tapered to a point. The eyes are are black and circular.

Dunlin

Calidris alpina
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Habitat 

Around 9,000 pairs of Dunlin spend the winter in Europe and north Africa and come to the UK to breed in the spring, usually on upland moors and bogs. They’re an important indicator species for the quality of upland bogs. Dartmoor has 20-25 breeding pairs, the world’s most southerly breeding population and the only population in Devon. 

Population 

The UK’s breeding population of Dunlins has seen a severe decline and they’re on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list. The decline is due to a loss of and fall in the health of peat bogs caused by drainage and changing rainfall patterns. Drier peatlands support fewer soil invertebrates such as the cranefly larvae that Dunlins feed on.

The University of Exeter estimates that just 1% of Dartmoor’s deep peat area is healthy, peat-forming bog. The majority has been severely damaged by drainage, cutting, drying and erosion. However, recent blanket bog restoration on Dartmoor has seen Dunlin numbers increase in areas such as Winney’s Down and Cowsic Head. 

Actions

Manage and restore upland blanket bogs. See Heath, moor, bog and mire mosaics for more details.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas: Dartmoor deep peat (over 40 cm). Actions should be targeted to the deep peat areas in the Dartmoor breeding wader recovery zones which are mapped for Dunlin, Curlew and Snipe (Species Opportunity Areas). See Mapping.

A snipe stands on a wooden fencepost against a blurred background of grey sky and green vegetation. The long straight, brown beak is two thirds the length of its body. The bird has a pale off-white belly and legs and towards its rear. the head, wings, chest and back are all light brown with distinctive darker brown markings. On the head these are clear stripes going from front to rear, the rest of the body has broken stripe markings.

Snipe

Gallinago gallinago
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Habitat 

Snipe are a widespread breeding species in the UK, and our resident population is supplemented by birds that migrate from northern Europe in winter. They’re found in particularly high numbers on northern uplands.  

Snipe live in marshes, wet grassland and moorlands, where they nest in simple scrapes they create in tussocky vegetation that’s generally 10-30 cm tall. They feed mainly on earthworms, leatherjackets, beetles and caterpillars. During the breeding season, males can be heard making a unique drumming sound as they vibrate their tail feathers during aerial courtship displays. 

Population 

Snipe’s UK range declined by 32% between 1970 and 2010 and they’re on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Amber list. The main reason for their decline is loss of habitat due to drainage.   

In Devon, Snipe are now mainly found breeding in the wet, valley mires on Exmoor and Dartmoor. Dartmoor has around 200 pairs, the largest breeding population in southern England. 22 breeding Snipe were recorded on Exmoor in 2014 and 55 in 2024.    

Snipe is a great flagship species for wetlands and as such is a Devon Special Species. 

A curlew stands in a field with long green grass. The bird has a very long curved dark beak, black eyes, a white underbelly, and an otherwise all over grey brown marked body.

Curlew

Numenius arquata
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Habitat 

Curlews are the largest European wading bird, feeding on estuaries in winter and breeding on rough grassland, moorland and bog in summer. They nest in scrapes on the ground between tall tussocks of grasses to protect them from predators. Adults and chicks feed on worms, caterpillars and other invertebrates found in rough, damp pastures.    

Population 

Their breeding population has suffered a severe decline and they’re now increasingly concentrated in northern Britain. They’re on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list and the UK breeding population is of international importance. Declines are due to loss of habitat, particularly draining and reseeding of wet grasslands. As their numbers decline they become more vulnerable to predation, especially by foxes which take eggs, chicks and adult birds. 

Curlews once bred across Devon’s heathlands and in rough, wet grasslands such as the north Devon Culm. However, the breeding population has declined by 85% since 1985. There are now only 1-3 pairs of Curlew that attempt to breed on Dartmoor’s damp valley mires, and few, if any, of the chicks survive.  

A Curlew project has been rearing and releasing birds on Dartmoor since 2021. See Inspiration below for more information.  

Actions for Curlew and Snipe

Maintain or restore wet flushes, boggy areas and damp, rough grasslands and species-rich hay meadows through light grazing (preferably cattle) and, where appropriate and feasible, by blocking grips and drains. Where needed follow best practice to reduce the dominance of Purple Moor-grass (Molinia) to enable cattle grazing.

Monitor the population and breeding success of Curlews on Dartmoor in order to decide next steps.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas: Suitable habitat within the Moorland Line. Actions should be targeted to the Dartmoor wader breeding recovery zones mapped as a Species Opportunity Area. See Mapping.

Brown dappled whinchat balancing on a branch

Whinchat

Saxicola rubetra
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Habitat 

Whinchats are summer visitors that breed in invertebrate-rich moorlands and species-rich grasslands. They nest on or near the ground and like mosaics of tussocky grasses, bracken, heathland shrubs (such as Bilberry and heathers) and a scattering of scrub and small trees to perch on.   

  

Population 

In the UK Whinchats are increasingly confined to the uplands after their breeding population declined by 60% between 1995 and 2022, mirroring the trend across southwest Europe. They’re on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list.  

In Devon their range fell from 187 to 90 tetrads between the 1977-85 and 2007-13 Bird Atlas periods. Breeding Whinchats are now almost all confined to steep-sided valleys on Dartmoor and Exmoor, although they were previously also recorded scattered across the Culm and heaths of north and east Devon. In 2022, 164 known nesting sites were re-visited. The birds were present in 60 and absent in 104, representing a 63% reduction since 1979. The long-term vision is for Whinchats to be found across Devon again. However, in the short term the priority is to maintain and increase the upland populations. 

Dartmoor and Exmoor (along with Salisbury Plain) now support the only significant breeding populations of Whinchats in southern England. 

The cuckoo sits on a semi-visible branch within a tree against a backdrop of more trees. The bird has grey back, wings, tail, and beak. The head, neck and underbelly are all a paler grey that goes into white with broken brown bars towards the bottom of the underbelly. The legs, feet and eye ring are all a bright yellow.

Cuckoo

Cuculus canorus
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Habitat 

Cuckoos are summer visitors to the UK from Africa, arriving in late April. Females lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, especially Meadow Pipits, Dunnocks and Reed Warblers. They  remove one of the host bird’s eggs and lay their own in its place. As their young are raised by other birds, adults are free to leave in June.  

Population 

Cuckoos were once widespread but the UK population has declined by 70% over the last 20 years and they are on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list. The Cuckoo is one of the fastest-declining species in Devon, with their range falling from 78.9% of tetrads in 1988 to 20% in 2016. They’re now only known to breed on Dartmoor, where they lay eggs in Meadow Pipit nests (see below for Meadow Pipit details).  

The reasons for their rapid decline are not fully understood and the University of Exeter, British Trust for Ornithology and the RSPB are researching Dartmoor’s Cuckoos. Possible causes are a reduction in caterpillars (an important part of their diet), fewer Meadow Pipits in lowland Devon and habitat loss on migration routes. 

A brown meadow pipit stands perched on the top of a bare hedge, with blue sky in the background

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensis
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Meadow Pipits nest on the ground in dense vegetation on moorland, heathland and rough grasslands.  They feed largely on invertebrates in the summer (moths, beetles, flies and spiders) and seeds and berries in the autumn. Most are here all year. 

Meadow Pipits are still widespread across the UK but have declined significantly in distribution and abundance and are on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Amber list. The reasons for their decline are not fully understood but may be linked to a general decline in invertebrates due to habitat loss and climate change.  

Meadow Pipits are still common on Dartmoor but their range across Devon has declined from 44% of tetrads in 1988 to 25% in 2016. They’re listed as a Devon Special Species because of their huge decline in lowland Devon and as an increase in Cuckoos depends on a healthy Meadow Pipit population.  

A grasshopper warbler sits on a bramble branch, facing the right, against a blue sky. The warbler is a pale brown- yellow colour, with brownier wings and pale pink legs. Grasshopper warblers are small (same size as a robin) birds with round, black eyes and a thin pointed, pale brown-pink beak.

Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naevia
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Habitat 

Grasshopper Warblers are summer visitors to the UK from Africa. They’re found in wet meadows with dense grassland vegetation, which provides cover, and scattered scrub. They eat a wide range of insects including flies, moths, caterpillars, beetles and spiders.  

Population 

From the 1960s Grasshopper Warblers suffered a dramatic decline in population and range (especially in southern and central England) and they’re on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list. Declines are likely to be due to loss of wetland habitats.   

In Devon, Grasshopper Warblers were found in 13% of tetrads in 1988. Although they’ve declined in many areas, they’re thought to be stable or even increasing on parts of Dartmoor. They’re also found in wet grassland areas on Exmoor, Torridge and in grasslands on both coasts.   

A kestrel coming in to land on a mossy branch. His talons are outstretched, and the wings are out as if to slow himself.

Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus
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Habitat 

Kestrels can be found across the UK. They favour open habitats with a supply of Field Voles, such as rough grassland and heathland. They also eat mice, shrews, small birds and sometimes worms and insects. They nest in natural cavities in trees and nests abandoned by other species. They’re easy to identify due to their ability to hover motionless over fields while stalking their prey. 

Population 

The UK’s Kestrel population has fallen by half since 1970 and they’re on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Amber list. The decline is thought to be due to loss of rough grasslands which can support Field Voles, secondary poisoning from eating voles and mice that have eaten poison meant for rats, and loss of nesting sites such as old trees with cavities. 

A tree pipit sits on a tree branch singing, against a backdrop of blue skies and other tree branches. The pale off-white belly is visible, as well as the mottled light brown bib and head, with the dark wings and back mostly hidden from view by the branch. The birds small, thin, pointed beak is open in mid song.

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialis
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Habitat 

Tree Pipits are a long-distance summer migrant to the UK, arriving in April. They’re a ground-nesting species, found in heathland, rough grassland, young deciduous and conifer plantations, parkland and wood pasture where they use isolated trees as singing posts. They mainly eat small invertebrates, particularly beetles, but will eat berries and seeds. 

Population 

The population has declined dramatically over recent decades and the species is on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list. It’s not known why but reasons may include disturbance to nests, lack of open woody habitat and issues relating to migration or wintering grounds.  

In Devon Tree Pipits mostly occur around Dartmoor and Exmoor with scattered pairs on heathlands and Culm grasslands. Between 1988 and 2016 their range reduced from 36% of tetrads to just 13%. 

A nightjar sits on top of a flat tree trunk with blurred green vegetation in the background. The bird is the same mottled brown-grey as the tree trunk and is hard to see as the wings are tucked in, no legs or feet are visible, and the short neck and beak give the bird the appearance of a piece of wood.

Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeus
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Another summer visitor to the UK, Nightjars are ground-nesting birds found on undisturbed heathlands that have occasional taller trees and lots of invertebrates. They will also nest in open areas in woodlands created by clear felling. They’re nocturnal, catching food such as moths, flies and beetles on the wing.    

Nightjars were once much more widely distributed but as heathland has been lost their numbers have declined. In recent decades their population and range has increased. This is thought to be due to heathland restoration as well as the creation of open nesting habitat through clear felling areas of conifer plantation. However, they’re still of national conservation concern and are on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Amber list.  

Devon’s Nightjar population appears to be stable or increasing, with much of the increase thought to come from woodland clear fell areas. Heathland and forestry plantations on Dartmoor and Exmoor and in Haldon Forest all support nationally important populations. Nightjars are also a qualifying feature of the Pebblebed Heaths SAC. However, Nightjar is listed as a Devon Special Species as the Devon population remains vulnerable to changes in forestry management, loss of insects and potentially an increase in recreational disturbance.   

Small bird (dartford warbler) perched on a yellow flowered gorse branch

Dartford Warbler

Sylvia undata
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Habitat 

A ground-nesting, resident species, Dartford Warblers are specialists of lowland heathlands and coastal scrub and heath. They like a mosaic of tall and shorter scrub and will often nest in dense stands of gorse that provide important shelter in cold winters. They mainly eat small invertebrates. 

Population 

Dartford Warblers have come back from the brink of extinction over the last 50 years and are now restricted to the south and east of the UK. Their European range is moving north and in the future the UK may hold a significant proportion of the global population. They’re on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Amber list. 

In Devon, they’re found on the Pebblebed Heaths, Haldon heaths, Dartmoor and Exmoor edges and coastal areas, especially the south coast between Stoke Point and Plymouth and the north Devon coast. Devon’s population of Dartford Warblers increased dramatically in the 1990s to over 250 pairs. It subsequently fell, in part due to significant declines on Dartmoor linked to poor weather in 2009 and 2010, but it’s likely that the population is increasing again. Recent surveys on Exmoor show numbers grew from just 25 in 2014 (down from 209 in 2008) to 175 in 2024.  

While the population has increased, this is from very low levels. Dartford Warblers are a Devon Special Species as they remain vulnerable and in need of attention.   

Actions

Manage and restore large areas of insect-rich heaths, moors and rough grasslands across Devon through light cattle and pony grazing to provide a mosaic of habitats. These should include bare ground, heath shrubs (heathers and Bilberry), tussocky grassland, patches of dense gorse and other scrub and scattered trees.

  • Reduce disturbance to ground-nesting birds in areas with public access.
  • Protect and restore wet flushes, boggy areas and damp, rough grasslands by blocking grips and drains where possible (even small wet flushes, created by blocking one field drain, can be valuable). 

Research and survey 

Act on the findings of research for Cuckoo and Whinchat populations. Support further research as needed.  

Continue the national cycle of surveys for Nightjar and Dartford Warbler. Support further survey and monitoring of other species and ensure that data is shared.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas: Heath, moor and mire mosaics, Upland heath, moor and bog mosaics, Coastal Wildbelts. Actions for Whinchats should be targeted to the Whinchat zones mapped as Species Opportunity Areas. See Mapping.

Habitat actions

See the habitat pages for more information and actions.

3. Inspiration

Case studies

Dartmoor Curlew Project

The Dartmoor Curlew Project is a five-year project that started in 2021. It aims to restore breeding Curlews to Dartmoor by working with land managers to improve habitat, control predators and release young birds. The project is funded by the Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation and the Duchy of Cornwall and is supported by Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Natural England and the RSPB.  

A curlew stands in a field with long green grass. The bird has a very long curved dark beak, black eyes, a white underbelly, and an otherwise all over grey brown marked body.

If you’re doing something to help nature thrive, please share it on the Devon nature Recovery Delivery Map to inspire others to take action.

Where to visit

Always follow the Countryside Code and keep to footpaths and sites that are managed for public access. 

Dartmoor

A huge range of birds can be found across Dartmoor National Park due its diverse habitats which include bogs, ancient woodlands, rocky outcrops and river valleys.

Many of the birds on this page live and breed on Dartmoor. See Find Out More below for the results of the East Dartmoor Breeding Bird Survey (2016).

A landscape view of a Dartmoor valley covered in yellow grass with darker patches of brown shrub under a blue sky.

For information on visiting these and other sites that are open to the public please see the Explore Devon website.

4. Find out more

Distribution and survey

Devon species distributions are on the Devon Bird Atlas, which can be found on Devon Birds. The atlas has data for both the breeding and winter periods. It’s down at the time of writing but will be fixed as soon as possible.

The results of the 2016 East Dartmoor Moorland Breeding Bird Survey. 

Projects

The Dartmoor Curlew Project aims to restore breeding curlews to Dartmoor by working with land managers to improve habitat, control predators and release young birds. 

Farmers, RSPB scientists and others worked together to restore habitats for rare birds on Dartmoor through the Our Upland Commons Project, led by the Foundation for Common Land.  

Exmoor National Park has published their Vision for Nature Recovery and the nature recovery projects they’re working on in partnership with land owners, land managers and a wide range of other organisations.  

Dartmoor National Park has published Living Dartmoor, their strategy to deliver benefits for Dartmoor’s wildlife. 

The University of Exeter published a report on the Mires on the Moor project, which is researching changes in water quality, habitat dynamics and flood risk following moorland restoration, in the peatlands of the UK’s South West. 

Photo credits
  • Dunlin 1 – National Trust, Wilbert McIlmoyle
  • Snipe – National Trust, Tim Robinson
  • Curlew – Bob Brewer
  • Whinchat – Matt Knott
  • Cuckoo – Diego Rastelli
  • Meadow Pipit – Matt Knott
  • Grasshopper Warbler – Matt Knott
  • Kestrel – Phil Robson
  • Tree Pipit – National Trust, Rob Coleman
  • Nightjar – National Trust, Dougie Holden
  • Dartford Warbler – Ben Andrew, RSPB images
  • Curlew – Bob Brewer
  • Dartmoor – Karen Miller

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