Bethecar Moor Common

Bethecar Moor Common lies on a ridge between the Rusland Valley and the Coniston Valley. It is grazed by five commoners with adjoining farms in the valleys below.  Here all the 17 Commoners, both Graziers and Non-Graziers, have entered into an agri-environment agreement which will see habitat improvements to support species which rely on Lake District habitats. The work will provide habitat for the iconic hawfinch, a target species for the Grizedale and Rusland Valley areas. Also, working with the Rusland Horizons Wings in the Woods Project in partnership with Butterfly Conservation. Works are targeting Section 41 butterfly and moth species including Duke of Burgundy, small pearl bordered fritillary, high brown fritillary, the argent and sable moth and the netted carpet moth which is reportedly one of the rarest UK moths – amazingly it relies on a single food plant only found in a few sites in the Lake District. The rarity is such that colonies of the foodplant, touch-me-not balsam should be reported to Butterfly Conservation (Helping-the-Netted-Carpet-Moth).

As part of extending the ancient woodland habitat within this agreement area at Dodgson Wood SSSI a temporary fence will support tree establishment. Public access to this beautiful landscape is being maintained through the fenced areas with gates where rights of way or desire lines pass through the fenced area. Upland wet and dry heath, mires, juniper scrub and upland flushes will also be restored with beneficial management advised by Natural England, whilst upland common grazing continues with hefted flocks. Historic environment features, mainly linked to the tradition of sheep farming, recorded as part of the Rusland Horizons programme, are also being retained in the landscape.