RSPB Geltsdale to become a Pennines paradise for nature

A bold new restoration project is set to transform RSPB Geltsdale, an upland reserve in Northeast Cumbria, into a Pennines paradise for nature. Thanks to the purchase of a final piece of land at RSPB Geltsdale, we are now able to go bigger and better to fully restore and protect the area’s moorlands, wetlands and woodlands. 

Hen Harriers, one of England's most endangered breeding birds of prey, are set to benefit, along with rare and iconic species including Curlews, Snipe, Willow Warblers, Red Squirrels and Black Grouse. Water Voles will be reintroduced, and it’s hoped the restoration will also see the return of Golden Eagles, and Ospreys nesting on the reserve in the near future.  

RSPB Geltsdale Reserve Manager Ian Ryding said: “We want to create a landscape that sings with life. Our plans are ambitious and, in a nutshell, mean bringing this North Pennines landscape fully back to life. Working in partnership with the North Pennines National Landscape and Natural England, we've already achieved so much over the last thirty years, but now, with the purchase of the remaining land, we can do so much more. 

“It will be such a thrill to see the amazing Golden Eagle re-colonising England in the near future and the pinnacle of success for me would be seeing them soaring across the moorlands of Geltsdale. From the bright carpets of wildflowers in the hay meadows to the gentle ripple of restored wetlands teeming with insects and birdlife, this vision is about bringing back the sounds, sights, and vitality of England’s truly wild Pennines.” 

Our new vision for RSPB Geltsdale builds on the ongoing success of conservation efforts on the nature reserve. Thanks to our supporters, we’ve restored areas of precious blanket bog and created large areas of meadowland. We’ve planted 110,000 native trees and a river, Howgill Beck, has been ‘re-naturalised’ to its original meandering course, helping to prevent flooding and benefiting birds such as Oystercatchers and Common Sandpipers. Nature-friendly farming is reaping dividends too, helping to increase Curlew numbers and improving biodiversity.   

Together these efforts are boosting wildlife populations. A survey in 2022 found 94 breeding bird species now call Geltsdale their home, including 73 Curlew territories, nine Merlin nests and 25 pairs of Short-eared Owl. In 2023 the first Nightjar was recorded and in 2024 eight Hen Harrier chicks fledged from two successful nests, the highest number for 20 years. Numbers of Adders have also dramatically increased over the last decade. 

RSPB Geltsdale Reserve Manager Ian Ryding said: “Conservation efforts over the last three decades are clearly paying off but now we are stepping up a gear to realise our bold new vision for the reserve.  Now is the time to take everything we’ve learned and go bigger, we’re talking more trees, more wetlands, more birds and more homes for our threatened wildlife.”  

Through this ambitious programme of work, RSPB Geltsdale will provide much-needed habitat for wildlife, as well as secure a healthier landscape that can better tackle and mitigate against climate change. For example, the restoration of peat bogs will create the ideal conditions for rare plants and will also serve to lock away climate-damaging carbon.  

Our plans for the next five years include: planting thousands more native trees; creating new wetlands to nurture wildlife, such as Snipe, Common Sandpipers and Brown Trout; re-introducing White-faced Darter dragonflies and Water Voles; encouraging Ospreys to breed on the reserve; and installing dams to stabilise and rejuvenate peatlands, to store carbon and retain water.  

RSPB Area Manager David Morris adds: “This work isn’t just about protecting wildlife – it’s about creating a more resilient landscape. Restored peatlands will lock away carbon, wetlands will reduce downstream flooding, and vibrant habitats will support species at every level of the food chain, from invertebrates to apex predators.”  

The comprehensive plans set out the ambitions for RSPB Geltsdale. Highlights include: 

• Revitalising moorlands and peatlands: Peat bogs will be restored by raising water levels, helping lock away climate-damaging carbon and creating ideal conditions for sphagnum mosses and rare plants like Bog Rosemary and Round-leaved Sundew. 

• Expanding and regenerating woodlands: By planting native species like Aspen, Juniper and Downy Birch, and encouraging natural regeneration through grazing cattle, woodlands will grow to attract Cuckoos, Black Grouse, and Tree Pipits while linking valleys with vital wildlife corridors. 

• Restoring wetlands: Streams and watercourses will be restored to meander naturally, slowing the flow of water and creating pools, and braided channels that support Otters, amphibians, and birds like Grasshopper Warblers. 

• Creating wildflower hay meadows: Cuttings from one of the region’s most species-rich meadows will be spread on the newly acquired fields, bringing life to areas that will bloom with orchids, Lady’s Mantle, and Yellow Rattle, supporting pollinators and an abundance of wildlife. 

• Protecting species: Conservation efforts will safeguard iconic birds like Hen Harriers, one of the most endangered breeding birds of prey in England, with hopes to welcome species like Golden Eagles and Ospreys in the future. 

• Fenceless grazing: By using innovative solutions like Nofence technology to guide grazing cattle, we will create habitats for threatened ground-nesting wading birds such as Lapwings and Redshanks. 

Our ambitions for Geltsdale will safeguard the future for this special upland area and the wildlife that depends upon it, securing the future for our largest nature reserve in England.   

But we need your support to make this vision a reality, which is why we have launched a fundraising appeal. Could you help with a donation? 

“Every contribution, no matter the size, will help turn this vision into a reality”, explained Ian. “Your support means more singing birds, more buzzing meadows, and a landscape we can be proud to pass on to future generations.”  RSPB Reserve Manager Ian Ryding.

Help restore a Pennines paradise 

Transforming the landscape at Geltsdale