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Rarities & Conservation: Tracking the Elusive Dunlin – Breeding Confirmed in Northern England

11 February 2026
By James Hamilton

A pioneering survey led by the RSPB has confirmed that Dunlin – a rare and declining upland wading bird – are breeding across large areas of suitable habitat in the Cumbrian Pennines, part of the North Pennines National Landscape. The findings offer fresh hope for the species’ future in England.

Funded by Natural England, the 2025 survey marks the first coordinated effort of its kind across such a wide upland landscape in Northern England. For birdwatchers and conservationists alike, it provides vital new insight into where Dunlin are surviving — and what they need to thrive.

A Species Under Pressure

Dunlin are small, starling-sized wading birds, best known in winter for their vast coastal flocks. In breeding plumage, however, they are striking upland specialists, with rich chestnut upperparts and a distinctive black belly patch.

Globally, Dunlin have declined by at least 20% since the early 2000s, and the IUCN Red List now classifies the species as Near Threatened. In the UK, they are Red listed following a moderate contraction in their breeding range, likely linked to declines in habitat quality.

In England, upland breeding populations are especially vulnerable — making this new survey particularly significant.

Surveying the High Pennines

​Fourteen locations across the Cumbrian North Pennines were surveyed during the 2025 breeding season (May to July). Around thirty individual Dunlin were recorded at eight of these sites, demonstrating that the species remains present across substantial areas of high-quality upland habitat.

The survey was carried out by the RSPB’s conservation team, funded by Natural England and delivered in close collaboration with landowners. Dedicated volunteers — including members of Cumbria Bird Club — also played a key role.

Fieldwork focused on remote, wet upland landscapes, including the High Helbeck Estate, where peatland restoration has been ongoing for several years, led by the North Pennines National Landscape team.

Surveyors worked in challenging terrain, often far from established tracks, combining traditional field survey techniques with remote cameras, acoustic recording devices and drones to assess both bird presence and habitat condition.

At High Helbeck, breeding was confirmed — including remarkable camera footage of Dunlin chicks feeding in a bog pool.
Dunlin breeding in the North Pennines undertake an astonishing annual migration, travelling thousands of miles to winter in West

Africa. Identifying their breeding strongholds and understanding habitat condition is essential to securing their future. Until now, however, no large-scale coordinated survey had been conducted across this landscape, leaving significant gaps in conservation knowledge.

Conservation in Action

High Helbeck was previously the focus of a Green Recovery Challenge Fund project (2020–2022), led by the North Pennines National Landscape team in partnership with the RSPB, Natural England, the Woodland Trust and landowners Nicolete and Ben Blackett-Ord. Habitat restoration and biodiversity work continue through this partnership.

Dr. Elisabeth Charman, Senior Conservation Officer, the RSPB, said:
“The team surveyed in remote areas, well away from established tracks and on challenging ground. To find Dunlin breeding in new areas was extremely rewarding, and we hope our partnership efforts can contribute to their continued success in the Pennines.”

Nicolete Blackett-Ord, joint landowner High Helbeck, said:
“It has been extremely rewarding to take part in this project. We’ve learnt such a lot about this threatened species’ distribution and habitat needs. To confirm breeding at High Helbeck is particularly special because we have worked with the RSPB and partners for several years, improving habitat, to enable wading birds to thrive.”

Kath Milnes, Higher Officer for Natural England in Cumbria, said:
"This fantastic work across the Cumbrian Pennines clearly demonstrates how investing in nature delivers multiple benefits for everyone. By working with landowners and conservation partners to restore and re-wet peatlands, we're creating the right conditions for species like Dunlin to thrive."

A Priority Landscape for Waders

The North Pennines is one of the RSPB’s ‘Priority Landscapes’, where conservation resources and long-term efforts are focused. The organisation is also marking more than twenty-five years of wader conservation work in the region, celebrating the dedication of volunteers, farmers, advisers and conservation partners.

Encouragingly, the RSPB hopes these new findings will inspire birdwatchers and upland visitors to submit further Dunlin records, helping to build a clearer picture of the species’ status and inform future conservation action across the North Pennines.

For those who associate Dunlin primarily with winter estuaries, this survey is a powerful reminder: high in the boggy Pennine uplands, this remarkable little wader is still holding on — and, with continued partnership and habitat restoration, may yet have a more secure future in England.
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