THE number of wading birds is growing in the North York Moors National Park thanks to upland farmers playing a key part in aiding their return by providing habitats for the birds.

Wildlife experts have calculated the moors has suffered a 40 per cent decline in the number of lapwings over the past 30 years , a situation mirrored across the country.

The national park's ecologist, Rona Charles, said there were now 2,000 pairs in the park on farmland alone.

More have made their home in the upland rather than the lowland areas, with Rosedale and Farndale being the main areas of population.

The figures have been produced in the first survey of wading birds on the moors carried out by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the National Park Authority and English Nature.

There are about 288 pairs of snipe in the park and about 474 pairs of curlew, which have been found mainly in the upland areas, said Ms Charles.

In comparison, there are only five breeding pairs in the Exmoor National Park, she said.

"Farmers are making a huge difference to providing habitats" said Ms Charles, adding that about 250 farmers in the park gave permission for the wader numbers survey to be carried out on their land."

"The survey has shows that the National Park is good for waders. There is a lot farmers can do to help improve habitats for the birds and we are able to give advice."