Fylingdales Moor is bordered in the south and west by RAF Fylingdales, forestry, moorland and farmland, and extends north and eastwards towards the North Sea coast, Whitby, Ravenscar and Robin Hood's Bay.
Originally managed as a grouse moor, it has received much less intensive management during the last 20 years. In 2004 the landowner, Sir Fred Strickland-Constable, began to discuss a plan with Natural England and the North York Moors National Park Authority to develop and regenerate the Moor for the benefit of all wildlife. Natural England agreed to support a Wildlife Enhancement Scheme (WES) on Fylingdales Moor. Shortly afterwards, the Hawk and Owl Trust became involved in studying and protecting the wildlife on the Moor.
In 2005 the Hawk and Owl Trust began to co-ordinate wildlife surveys by volunteers on the Moor to quantify the fauna and flora, and to provide a baseline against which to assess the effect of any future conservation management on the Moor.
In 2006 the Hawk and Owl Trust took over full responsibility for the implementation of the WES, and to take the lead role for wildlife conservation on the Moor.
Fylingdales Moor benefits from a Higher Level Stewardship grant (2009-2019) coordinated by Fylingdales Moor ESS Ltd. The management is aimed at maintaining and restoring moorland habitats to benefit upland wildlife. This has allowed FESSco to contract the services of both the Hawk and Owl Trust and aShepherd.
4 common rights owners exercise their rights to graze sheep (Swaledales and Cheviots) under the scheme.
We consult with the traditional guardians of Fylingdales Moor, the Court Leet, esblished before the 15th cenury involving men from the local area (www.fylingcourtleet.org).
