Campaign for National Parks

As we enter the new year, it is a great time to discover winter wildlife in our Parks before spring begins. Though days are shorter, many trees are bare and the buzz of insects has died down, there is still much to see. Here are some tips for animals and birds to spot if you’re out and about in National Parks this month.

Winter visitors

Overwintering birds are some of the most numerous and recognisable visitors to England and Wales during the winter months. Many of these are waders and waterfowl, most common in lowland areas and along the east coast, though the winter season changes the dawn chorus across all National Parks.

Several species live, breed and nest in the precious habitats that Parks provide, from common species that can be spotted elsewhere to rare birds not seen outside these Protected Landscapes. Species to look out for include lapwing, curlew, arctic tern, great crested grebes, teals and many more:

Redshanks, with distinctive orange/red legs and beaks, visit the UK from Iceland during the winter. They can be seen feeding in coastal areas of the North York Moors National Park throughout January.

The Broads provide a habitat to many rare species of wildlife throughout the year. In the winter, look particularly for bittern and dark-bellied brent goose on the coast and in saltmarshes.

Though not a coastal Park, the New Forest receives many winter bird visitors too. The rare great grey shrike can be spotted at key sites, with more common woodland species such as bramblings active across the forest.

Winter sights

As well as seasonal visitors, winter is a great time to spot many year-round residents of National Parks. Several small mammals are easier to see and hear in the winter, such as badgers and foxes, who come into season during January. Other winter sights include:

Shorter days mean that deer can be spotted earlier in the evenings during winter. Parks including Northumberland, Exmoor and the Lake District are home to some UK deer species, while the New Forest National Park is home to all five. Marshland-loving non-native Chinese water deer can also be spotted in The Broads during January.

Throughout winter and into the new year, mountain hares take on their winter coats- a seasonal sight not to miss. They’re best spotted in upland areas of the Peak District National Park.

As grey seal pups are born during the autumn, colonies can be seen reducing in size in January as pups born the year before shed their fur and leave for the sea. Both Eryri (Snowdonia) and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) are home to colonies of grey seals.

Changing winters

Sadly, in many people’s living memory our seasons have changed and the weather patterns that mark these natural events have shifted. The effects of climate change are having a marked impact on migratory and other behaviours, while habitat destruction and intensive land management are shrinking the land available for permanent or seasonal residence.

National Parks have an important role to play in protecting our precious winter species from the changing climate. They have the potential to be even better homes for all wildlife, resilient to the effects of climate change and restored for nature.

The support we receive from our Friends helps us to fight for these species’ winter homes and make National Parks wilder for nature year-round.

12 July 2023 saw the celebration of individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond in National Parks in England and Wales. In an event hosted in Parliament by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, we met with incredible people who truly are at the heart of our Parks. From grassroots campaigning in Dartmoor to small-scale farming in local communities in Bannau Brycheiniog, this year’s National Park Protector Award nominees have shown a deep dedication to Protected Landscapes that deserve to be celebrated.

The winners of the National Park Nature Award, sponsored by WWF-UK and presented by Landscape Minister Trudy Harrison, are:

South West Peatland Partnership, for landscape scale nature recovery - The South West Peatland Partnership is a collaboration between local and regional government agencies, charities, landowners, commoners, contractors and farmers working to restore over 2,500 hectares of degraded peatland across West Penwith, Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor by 2025.

On winning Morag Angus from the South West Peatland Partnership said: “It’s really nice to get that recognition on behalf of the whole partnership and everyone who’s been working hours and hours for years and years behind the scenes, to get this Award and get the recognition for peatlands in National Parks.”

And, Nick Sanderson, for community nature recovery - Just beyond the sailing boats and canoes at Barton Turf Adventure Centre in The Broads National Park, a muddy path leads visitors to a hidden nature reserve. Nick Sanderson saw the potential for the wonderful site and began an ongoing partnership with Centre Manager Di Smith, The Broads Authority and many other stakeholders. The aim was to provide low-cost outdoor experiences and make a real difference for nature.

On his win, Nick Sanderson said: “It’s really nice to get recognition for the team, this is a team award, I’m just the guy who stands here and gets the award. It’s really about the team, about the volunteers, the staff and the young people who’ve been involved who are really making a difference to nature conservation and hopefully been inspired by it as well.”

The winner of the New Perspectives Award, sponsored by Natural England and presented by its Programme Director Caroline Cotterell, is:

Sameed Asghar - Sameed is the founder of Summit Special, who are known as the BAME Mountain Leaders. He is one of the first UK-qualified mountain leaders who works full time introducing not just BAME groups but also those with several barriers to accessing the outdoors. Since 2005, he has volunteered for various charities and mosques trying to promote and organise their challenge events. Consequently, he has encouraged people to fundraise for good causes and has also introduced thousands of people from BAME backgrounds to the great outdoors. This has also led to a recent rise in affinity groups of people from these groups.

Every weekend for the past year, Sameed has led diverse groups in the outdoors with approximately 30 to 50 participants on each trek.

On his win, Sameed Asghar said: “This award is a huge honour, it’s an amazing feeling and I’m absolutely buzzing and very happy.”

The winner of the Changemaker of the Year Award, sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, chosen in part by a public vote last month and presented by Alex Sobel, Labour Defra Minister is:

Matt Staniek / Save Windermere - Matt has been working tirelessly for two years to highlight the issue of water company pollution in Windermere and its impact on the water and wildlife in the lake.

Matt has built, from nothing, a movement that has steadily put a local issue onto the national stage. Around that he has expanded his campaign team, and on limited funds is furthering his reach by engaging with local communities and community events.

On winning Matt Staniek said: “Fundamentally we need change on the ground and that’s what this campaign is trying to do. By winning today it gives me the opportunity to then extend that message to a wider audience and today it was talking directly to ministers who can actually make a difference.”