The moors are habitat for ground nesting birds, including the hen harrier, which has generated controversy for potential conflict with grouse shoot management. In 2014 a gamekeeper on the Swinton Estate was convicted of setting an illegal pole trap. In 2019 a hen harrier was found shot on the Swinton Estate. According to the Moorland Association there was no evidence of wrongdoing by the estate, and the estate has encouraged the winter roosting and breeding of hen harriers on its land.