Our vision for the Brecks Priority Landscape

Our vision for the Brecks Priority Landscape sees extensive areas of Breck heathland wilderness connected by wildlife-rich corridors running through forest, farmland, and river valleys that are well-managed for nature. 

The 1000 square kilometres of the Brecks are home to many rare species. These include threatened Turtle Doves and Stone-curlews, and a host of rare plants and invertebrates. Many of these are specially adapted to the free-draining, dry sandy soils that make the area so special.

The Brecks Priority Landscape extends across West Norfolk and Suffolk.

The Breckland Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). 

The Brecks is a hidden ecological gem and until recent years, the landscape was greatly under-valued for its biodiversity. The area, characterised by sandy, free-draining and nutrient-poor soils, is home to nearly 13,000 species and 28% of all UK Priority Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species.  

The Brecks is regarded as one of the top five locations in the UK for plants and one of the most important landscapes in the UK for moths. The area is renowned as the most important location in the UK for breeding Stone-curlews, holding over 50% of the UK population. The site also supports nationally important numbers of Nightjars and Woodlarks associated with Thetford Forest, the UK’s largest lowland forest.  

In addition, the landscape holds a notable population of Turtle Doves, which depend on bushy scrub and hedges for nesting habitat with nearby sources of arable weed seeds and accessible water. The Brecks also supports important local populations of woodland bird species including Hawfinches, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and Spotted Flycatchers.  

The breeding population of Eurasian Curlews in the Brecks is thought to be one of the largest in lowland Britain. The status and threats to this population are currently the subject of research to inform future conservation action. 

The Brecks has the potential to make a significant contribution to the recovery of several RSPB priority species and habitats, as well as many other rare species. The population of many of the rare species in the Brecks are currently low in number and fragmented. However, there is a big opportunity to help them thrive through targeted habitat creation and restoration. 

1. To increase the number of breeding Stone-curlews, and proportion nesting on grass heathland and fallow plots where nests and chicks don’t require intervention to protect them from farming operations. 
2. To increase the area and connectivity of good-quality grass heathland through a combination of restoration of existing heaths and new heathland creation. 
3. Understand and improve the conservation status of other priority bird species (Turtle Doves, Eurasian Curlews, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Spotted Flycatchers & Hawfinches) in the Brecks through population monitoring, research and advisory work. 
4. Develop the volunteer teams to take on a greater role in the delivery of Stone-curlew project work and to support surveys of Turtle Doves and other species. 
5. Influence local authorities to ensure robust protection of the Breckland SPA (designated for Nightjars, Woodlarks and Stone-curlews) from development. 

• The proportion of Stone-curlews nesting in safe habitats has increased from 30% to 50%. 
• We have led on specific projects, working with partners to improve heathland condition. 
• 14 Stone-curlew, and additional Turtle Dove volunteers, are carrying out a variety of survey and protection activities in the Brecks. 
• We have provided Turtle Dove advice to farmers across the Brecks. 
• We’re working with community groups to help Turtle Doves by offering advice, giving community talks, and providing help with practical land management. 
• We are also engaging with development proposals to ensure important sites for wildlife are protected. 
• We continue to work with farmers and landowners to monitor and protect Stone-curlews and provide sources of food, water, and nesting habitat for Turtle Doves. 
• We have a prominent role in partnership with multiple agencies to deliver conservation on a landscape scale.  
• We have supported the creation of a new Brecks Landscape Partnership and provided conservation advice to farmers.  
• There is also a real drive to see heaths restored through intensive Rabbit grazing, and the Brecks Rabbit Group is working on projects to better monitor Rabbits and bring them back to areas where they have been lost.  
• Next steps include sharing and promoting the new research findings on best locations for Stone-curlew nest plots and carrying out an assessment of the conservation needs of other priority species in the Brecks (Spotted Flycatchers, Hawfinches, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers). 

Keep an eye on this page for updates or find out about volunteering opportunities by emailing us at the.Brecks@rspb.org.uk.

• Brecks.org