Alongside well over 60 of the more common bird species, several rare and endangered birds breed on the Moor.
Of special conservation interest are species such as
- Golden plover
- Red grouse
- Curlew
- Ring ouzel
- Merlin
Special conservation efforts are directed towards the merlin (Britain's smallest falcon) - for which the North York Moors are a fragile, but nationally important breeding area.
Careful heather management on Fylingdales Moor aims to create a “habitat mosaic” of young heather, whilst retaining areas of more mature growth in which merlins prefer to nest. As a result, we are already beginning to see an increase in the numbers of breeding merlins on the Moor.
Similar conservation efforts are aimed at encouraging other rare moorland species including the hen harrier and short-eared owl , neither of which has bred on the Moor in recent years. Management of heather and other habitats on the Moor such as grassland, bracken and dry heath are aim to improve habitats for red grouse, golden plover, wheatear, skylark, linnet, stonechat and ring ouzel.
