Growing Geltsdale

Glorious RSPB Geltsdale in pictures

One of my most memorable days working at the RSPB was at Geltsdale, an outstanding upland jewel of a nature reserve. It was May 2017 and I’d organised a press trip, where we were looking at Whinchats. Scientists were studying these delightful little birds as they returned to their Cumbrian breeding grounds.

I’d already visited one of the country’s most remote art galleries, tucked away on the reserve, and got up early to see Black Grouse. But there was one moment which will be with me forever.

Standing in a valley near some old farm buildings, I was in awe not just at the stunning surroundings but the birds, many of which I was seeing and hearing for the first time – the Whinchats, of course, but then the ‘reeling’ of a Grasshopper Warbler joined the more familiar call of a Cuckoo and a Ring Ouzel further uphill contributed its own fluty notes to the upland soundscape.

A Red Grouse peeped from the vegetation up on the hills and a Peregrine treated us to a dramatic flypast.

So, eight years on, I’m delighted that not only is Geltsdale still flourishing, but the reserve is also growing in size too! We’ve just bought the remaining third of Tarnhouse Farm here, making this nature reserve our largest in England.

And now there’s so much more we can do.

We’re going to be restoring moorland and peatland, regenerating the native woodland, creating a rich wetland haven and bringing back colourful, buzzing, bustling hay meadows. The birds I saw – and more – have a bright future ahead.

Imagine how brilliant this could be.