We're pleased to share our new series - Spotted On Matson Ground. 

We want to share the special moments from nature that happen throughout the year across Matson Ground. As the seasons change it'll give a glimpse into the natural cycle around us - it's what make this place so unique. 

This week, as we finally settle into spring, we're celebrating the return of our most precious wading bird - the curlew. Beautiful curlew, with their long curved beaks are an icon of upland farmland. It's eerie call echoes across the fields to let us know it's back to nest here again. Curlew are long-lived and return to the same area to nest year on year, so it's amazing to think these birds have been on Matson Ground for over a decade. 

However, curlew are sadly a red list endangered bird in the UK and adult birds increasingly fail to fledge chicks. It's thought that an estimated 10,000 chicks are needed per year, just to stabilise the population. 

But with our extensive style of farming and partnership working, things can be done to help. We are working with the brilliant team from Curlew Recovery South Lakes. We have located nests and fenced them off to protect from potential predators, such a foxes. The aim is to help as many chicks fledge as possible later in the spring and support the birds to thrive again in our Lakeland landscape.