The Management Plan for Abernethy Dell Woods National Nature Reserve 2015-2025

Introduction

Abernethy National Nature Reserve (NNR) is located on the southern edge of the village of Nethybridge, 14 kilometres (9 miles) northeast of Aviemore in Badenoch and Strathspey. The Dell Woods section of Abernethy NNR - is owned and managed by NatureScot and forms part of the much larger Abernethy NNR, the largest remnant of an ancient native pinewood which once covered the foothills of the Cairngorms.  These woods are home to some of the most charismatic mammals and birds of the Scottish Highlands including pine marten, red squirrel, capercaillie, osprey, Scottish crossbill and crested tit.  They are also home to a suite of flowers characteristic of native pinewoods including twinflower, intermediate wintergreen and creeping lady’s tresses. For many rare species, including the less well-known insects, fungi, lichens and mosses, these woods are their main, and sometimes only, stronghold in Britain. 

Abernethy Dell Woods NNR is one of a suite of NNRs in Scotland. NNRs are special places where some of the best examples of Scotland’s wildlife are cared for. Nature comes first on NNRs, and people are welcome to discover the rich natural heritage of these places and to contribute to our knowledge and enjoyment of these areas.

Our Vision for Abernethy Dell Woods NNR

Abernethy National Nature Reserve is a special place. Our aim is to keep it that way and improve on it if we can.  The Reserve Plan 2025 - 2035 sets out our vision for the Reserve describing how we would like the Reserve to be in 50 years time.  The management we carry out over the next 10 years has been framed with this vision in mind.

Our vision for Dell Woods in 2040

Dell Woods is a key part of the much larger Abernethy Caledonian Forest. This extensive pinewood is a major part of the wider Abernethy National Nature Reserve which rises from the southern fringes of the village of Nethy Bridge, up to the peak of Ben Macdui at 1,309 metres above sea level within the Cairngorms National Park. Dell woods continues to play an important role as a visitor hub for this forest.

The characteristic pinewood flora and fauna is flourishing despite the threats and challenges presented by climate change. As the forest ages, the natural forest structure continues to develop. There are good areas of juniper; the shrub layer and understory are rich and diverse. The increasing proportion of broad-leaved trees and deadwood benefit a wide range of species adding to the overall richness of the forest. The restored natural water level on the Reserve's bogs creates an intimate mosaic of bog and bog woodland. The majority of the invasive exotic conifers have been removed. However those non-invasive exotics which provide short term conditions for important species such as green shield-moss will be retained.

The forest supports strong populations of pine specialists including capercaillie and crested tit. Dragonflies and damselflies abound, including the very rare and vulnerable northern damselfly.

The land owners of the NNR, RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage, continue to work in partnership together and with the local community to ensure the special qualities of the Reserve are maintained, developed and enhanced. The Reserve will make a significant contribution to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Cairngorms Nature Action Plan.

People recognise the Reserve as a local and national asset. There are opportunities for a wide range of visitors to experience and enjoy the special qualities of pinewoods responsibly using the path network which provides access for all. In particular avoiding disturbance of the nationally important capercaillie population in line with the successful initiatives developed and implemented across the National Park. The local community is proud of the Reserve and enthuse about the value it brings in terms of both their well-being & enjoyment and understanding of the history and cultural significance. The local community is actively engaged in the management of Dell Woods to help ensure it provides a wide range of public benefits. 

Protected Areas and Features

The reserve has numerous designations which reflect its national and international importance, although the boundaries of the designations differ. 

These are:

• Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a European habitat and/or species designation which covers the river, loch, bog and heath areas of the site.
• Special Protection Area (SPA), a designation protecting the bird interest on the site.
• Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), part of the UK network of protected areas; the national SSSI designation underpins the international designations.

The features of these protected areas are listed below. A number of these overlap but with some, the designation areas are different. They are linked to Sitelink, where full information on these designations can be found. 

Management for Natural Heritage

Objective NH1: 

Ensure management of the pinewood and associated habitats provides enhanced conditions for species on the NNR.

NatureScot,
Achantoul
Aviemore
PH22 1QD