Cumbria's Howgill Beck 'rewiggle' project wins UK river prize
Entries for the awards - which also involved a catchment-scale accolade won by the Holnicote Estate Project in Somerset, were judged by experts on Tuesday.Howgill Beck flows through part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Beauty and Geltsdale, which is a designated conservation area.Natural bends were added to the beck so it could spill on to a floodplain when required.
Last year, five pairs of redshank breeding at the site and two pairs of oystercatchers successfully nested for the first time since 2016.The RSPB said in January that nearby Tindale Tarn became "completely frozen" but the wetlands at the beck were able to support bird species including snipe, teal and mallard.In 2022 and 2023, two common sandpipers nested in the area - a common visitor to UK upland areas - but previously had been "totally absent" from Howgill Beck, the RSPB said.Lapwing, curlew, snipe and dipper have also been recorded regularly on the wetlands.
Ms Selvidge said it was "wonderful to see species like the sandpipers" at the site."I am absolutely delighted with this win, and its great recognition for the whole team involved in this project. "Howgill Beck's restoration means the watercourse and the wildlife it supports will benefit the diversity here in this hidden corner of Cumbria," she added.
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