THE Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has been given a tractor to help their work to safeguard the rare wetland habitats around the Solway estuary.

The red McCormick CX105, bought with the help of a £23,000 grant from the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Sustainable Development Fund, will help restore the habitat of declining waders and create new access paths for birdwatchers.

RSPB warden Norman Holton said: “This splendid machine will be invaluable in helping us carry out habitat management work.

“We are very grateful to the Solway Coast AONB for helping with its purchase.”

The internationally important lowland peatlands of the South Solway are home to a wide range of wetland wildlife such as snipe, lapwing, curlew and redshank, all of which will benefit from the arrival of the new tractor.

The new addition to the RSPB’s conservation fight was delivered yesterday to their Campfield Marsh reserve, near Bowness-on-Solway.

Councillor Bill Jefferson, chairman of the Solway Coast AONB joint advisory committee, handed over the keys.

Rose Wolfe, of the Solway Coast AONB Unit, said: “The tractor will be used to provide improved access and educational opportunities, and will help to restore further areas of peat bog.”

English Nature, the RSPB, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency and Solway Coast AONB Unit are working together on the Peatlands for People project.

Teal, widgeon, shoveler, pintail and other wetland birds can be seen from the bird-watching hide at North Plain Farm, half a mile west of Bowness-on-Solway.

Volunteers are needed to help with damming work, footpaths and scrub clearance. To get involved call the RSPB on 016973 51330 or 07753776393.