THE North Pennines grouse moors help provide an important stronghold for rare upland wading birds, a survey has revealed.

Studies by the Game Conservancy Trust (GCT) shows that management of upland moors for grouse has not only helped to retain heather habitat, but also provides breeding sites for significant numbers of curlew, golden plover and dunlin.

Many of these species have been disappearing from other areas, including the national parks.

More than 650,000 upland acres are now classified as Special Protection Areas (SPA) under the European Union bird directive and 74 per cent of this land is managed as grouse moor.

The North Pennines SPA, which is almost entirely managed as grouse moor, is home to 1,400 pairs of golden plover, 3,930 pairs of curlew and 330 pairs of dunlin.

By contrast, Dartmoor National Park now has only one to three pairs of golden plover, one to three pairs of curlew and about 12 pairs of dunlin.

Dr Stephen Tapper, GCT director of policy and public affairs, compiled the survey in collaboration with the National Gamekeepers' Association. He said: "Our analysis demonstrates the important role of grouse management in upland conservation. Lose grouse shooting and, in the long term, you are likely to lose not only the grouse, but many breeding waders too."

Between 1970 and 1990, the golden plover's breeding range decreased by 50 per cent in the West Country and 32 per cent in Wales. However, in Northern England, where the moors are still managed for grouse, the loss was only eight per cent.