Over the last 12 months, we have been conducting research to better understand the many species that pass through and/or reside on the estate.

Using acoustic monitoring technology we have been able to record the sounds of our habitats and the species within them. We have done this on quite a large scale in order to understand how species use and move through the estate throughout a year in a variety of habitats including moorland, woodland, farmland and riverside.

The acoustic monitors spent the spring and summer of last year out and about before coming back in to be analysed, and were put back out for autumn/winter.

The results we’ve seen so far from spring/summer 2024 are really exciting and highlight species we didn’t even know we had (including Turtle Doves and the rare Nathusius Pipistrelle bat) and how they used specific sites in a day.

Results also highlight that Bolton Abbey is particularly important for rare species of conservation concern – 51% of all species recorded were Red or Amber listed! We look forward to keeping you updated with more information.