AN ENDANGERED species of bird is thriving in moorlands above Huddersfield.

The dunlin, a small wading bird, has been found in good numbers on Marsden Moor and Saddleworth Moor, according to a joint survey by the National Trust (NT) and the RSPB.

Despite horrendous weather this spring, volunteers, NT staff and RSPB staff surveyed 20 square kilometres of the moorland plateaux to the west of Huddersfield.

And 50 dunlin territories were found in the first survey to assess the local dunlin population.

The dunlin, which is found in upland areas of Scotland, England and Wales, is on the RSPB’s ‘red status’ list.

The species has suffered a severe long-term decline in its non-breeding population. The bird is also a Species of European Conservation Concern with 9,150-9,900 breeding pairs in the UK.

The South Pennines, including Marsden and Saddleworth moors, are a breeding ground for approximately 10% of England’s dunlin population.

But it is thought NT and volunteer work to restore wetlands on Marsden and Saddleworth moors has given the local dunlin population a boost.

Dave O’Hara, RSPB/United Utilities’ site manager at Dove Stone, Saddleworth, said: “The surveys involved some very early morning starts to coincide with the main dunlin activity at dawn, so it was a great effort by everyone involved.

“We will be able to use this information both to monitor future population change, and to see if there are any patterns in habitat condition that might explain distribution.

“Healthy blanket bog is also good for water quality and carbon storage – it may be possible that dunlin can help highlight for us areas of bog that are in better and improving condition.”

Chris Crowther, a farmer whose land the survey covered, said: “This shows all the work we are carrying out is paying off. It’s nice to see the population is doing well.”

The dunlin is from the sandpiper bird family, which includes curlews and redshanks.

They breed in upland areas, particularly in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, between April and July.

During winter they are more commonly found in estuaries.

They eat worms, snails and insects.