The Management Plan for Ben Wyvis National Nature Reserve 2017-2027

Introduction

The solitary flat ridge of Ben Wyvis is unmistakeable against the Easter Ross skyline; it dominates the local landscape from every angle.  Ben Wyvis National Nature Reserve (NNR) lies 24 kilometres (km) northwest of Inverness, in the northern Highlands, and extends to just over 2,300 hectares (ha) on the western and southern slopes.  There is a wide altitudinal range across the reserve, from 350m to 1,046m at the summit peak of Ben Wyvis on Glas Leathad Mòr. 

The site contains a range of important habitats, but the distinctive summit cap of Ben Wyvis is probably one of its best-known features. The mountain plateau is swathed in a springy covering of woolly hair-moss, which provides ideal nesting territory for the dotterel that return to breed here each summer.  A mosaic of upland habitats; dry heath, montane grasslands, screes and blanket bog carpet the slopes from the upper reaches of the forestry to the plateau.  The quiet seclusion attracts a range of upland wildlife.

Ben Wyvis is one of a suite of NNRs in Scotland.  NNRs are special places for nature, where some of the best examples of Scotland’s wildlife are cared for.  Nature always comes first on NNRs, but these places also provide special opportunities for people to enjoy and find out about the richness of our natural heritage. 

The Reserve Story contains background information about the reserve, describing the wildlife interests, its land use history and management since it became a reserve.  The Ben Wyvis NNR Management Plan covers the future management of the reserve. 

Our Vision for Ben Wyvis NNR

Ben Wyvis has its own ecological identity supporting a natural sequence of habitats grading from scattered native woodland and shrub rich heath on the lower slopes into moorland above and a mosaic of upland communities on the high tops and crags.  Management of grazing and trampling impacts mean that the habitats are in good condition which supports a range of species including the uncommon dwarf birch.  Peat rich habitats such as blanket bog act as a long-term carbon store which is a valuable and cost-effective way to limit climate change, and plays an important role in flood water regulation.  Natural regeneration of native woodland and scrub is developing on some of the lower slopes contributing to wider biodiversity alongside the protected open habitats which are maintained.  The summit plateau supports an internationally important breeding population of dotterel. 

The outstanding assemblage of periglacial landforms and natural habitats on the NNR are visible and accessible for a wide range of audiences. 

The NNR shows best practice in all aspects of its management.  A comprehensive record of the NNR and its management has been built up through research, survey and monitoring.

The NNR offers a dramatic and remote experience which is popular with visitors, who come to experience the natural heritage and the climb to the summit of the Munro. Despite the steep slopes, visitors can safely enjoy walking in the NNR on established paths, and benefit from improved health and wellbeing. The erosion caused by recreational activities is recovering and people respect the sensitivity of these special upland habitats. Non-essential use of motorised vehicles is no longer occurring. 

The restoration of the summit heaths is well established and demonstrates positive conservation techniques to visitors and specialist groups. 

Local people have a wealth of knowledge about Ben Wyvis and the local community is proud of this National Nature Reserve on their doorstep.  All are well informed about the wildlife on the reserve.

Protected Areas and special features

Natural Heritage Management

Objective NH1:  Enhance the mosaic of habitats and species on the reserve through appropriate management.

Management of habitats and species

Ben Wyvis’s size, altitude and location give it a unique ecological character. Ben Wyvis supports a diverse mosaic of upland habitats including summit heath, high level springs and flushes and bryophyte-rich snowbeds. Montane and sub-montane dwarf-shrub heath is also well represented. Particularly impressive is the large extent of the summit heaths dominated by woolly fringe-moss. The lower slopes support blanket bog habitats which are notable, especially on the southern side of the hill, for the amount of dwarf birch and alpine bearberry. The focus of our management is on enhancing this mosaic of habitats and species; the more robust these habitats are the more resilient they will be to climate change.

The fragile upland habitats on Ben Wyvis SAC are in favourable or recovering condition following the reduction in grazing pressure over the course of the previous plan. To maintain and improve on the condition we will continue to monitor the habitats which will inform our deer management. Maintaining a sustainable deer population in collaboration with our neighbours will maintain the protected open habitats while also allowing natural processes to shape the plant communities.  We will develop a code for ATV use which will ensure that vehicles are only used for essential management.  We will look to support local agricultural businesses through access to livestock grazing, providing this does not restrict meeting our management objectives or have a negative impact on the condition of the habitats. 

We will continue to work with our neighbours Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and look for ways to soften the edge between the forestry plantations and the open habitats. We will monitor and remove non-native species as required. 

We will look for opportunities to improve habitats. Following a successful trial of summit heath recovery near the high altitude path, we will expand this restoration work to other un-vegetated areas to expand this habitat. We will explore the potential for peatland restoration in some areas to enhance and stabilise the blanket bog to maintain key benefits such as carbon storage, improved water quality and flood prevention.  We will explore opportunities to expand rare species on the reserve (e.g.  montane willow), and if appropriate we will consider translocations in line with The Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations. 

Objective NH2:  Undertake and facilitate appropriate research, survey and monitoring on the reserve to inform future management and contribute to national programmes. 

Various monitoring projects have been performed on the NNR and we will continue to facilitate opportunities as they arise.  We will prioritise monitoring which informs management or contributes to national programmes.  We will support and encourage volunteers and students to carry out research projects that contribute to our knowledge of the NNR.  For example, we hope to work with volunteers to continue annual monitoring of dwarf birch to build on the five year project by Plantlife, which recently ended.  The report on this, due soon, may provide insight and management recommendations; although it is thought that the current level of deer management is allowing dwarf birch regeneration.  We will continue to monitor breeding dotterel. 

Objective NH3:  To safeguard the special geological features of the reserve.

The geology of Ben Wyvis is nationally important, and we will ensure that it remains visible and accessible for people to see and study.  An important feature of the reserve is its geomorphology and in particular the range of erosional and depositional landforms found here. Many of these formed at the end of the last ice age under severe, but ice free, climatic conditions. These largely relict glacial landforms represent one of the best areas in the United Kingdom for the study of these processes.

We will continue to manage visitors to minimise trampling on geomorphological features. We will also ensure path repairs are done sympathetically including ensuring materials are not taken from geomorphological features. 

Management for People

Objective VM1: Provide a welcoming, enjoyable and positive experience so that a range of visitors can value their visit to the reserve.

Ben Wyvis lies 10kms to the north west of Dingwall at the head of the Cromarty Firth and is the only major mountain massif in the North Eastern Highlands.  Due to this, it is an important hill locally for informal recreation, particularly hill walking.  Over the years several routes have developed especially along the summit ridges which have resulted in some trampling damage to habitats of European importance, particularly the moss heaths.  However interpretation and the creation of a clearer path has helped concentrate walkers onto a single path which has reduced erosion and braiding on the summit ridge. We will continue to encourage visitors to reduce impacts whilst enjoying their visit.   

We will consider placing signs at the car park that promote responsible dog walking during the bird breeding season, especially on the summit ridge where there are sensitive ground nesting birds. 

We hope to build on the work we have done here to restore notified habitats by providing demonstration events and promoting this work via a variety of media.

Objective VM2: To ensure communities and volunteers play an important role in determining the outcomes delivered by the reserve and can make significant contributions to the management of the reserve.

Reserve staff will be working to improve links with local communities of place and interest.  We will explore opportunities for greater community involvement in the management of the reserve. We will also use volunteers on the reserve to assist us with restoration and survey work. 

Property Management

Objective PM1: To manage the reserve property responsibly following best practice. 

We will manage the reserve and SNH Property efficiently and responsibly following good practice. 

We manage the infrastructure and do regular maintenance and health and safety checks. We maintain equipment used on site and ensure it conforms to the appropriate regulations. We review and update our fire plan annually.

Planning and reporting

Objective PR1: Planning & reporting: Ensure management planning is adaptive and effective.

Ensure management planning is adaptive and effective.

The reserve plan provides valuable continuity however it is only part of the process and it will be monitored and reviewed on an on-going basis with formal milestones at regular intervals.

An interim review will be completed mid-plan unless there are significant changes that require an earlier review. 

We will review the plan in the final year to inform preparation of the next management plan.

Document properties

Authors: 

Claire Masson, Operations officer 
Ian Sargent, Reserves manager 
Doug Bartholomew, Reserve manager

Signed off by: Chris Donald, Operations manager, South Highland.

Date: 25 July 2018

Find out More

For information about Scotland’s National Nature Reserves visit Scotland’s NNR website.

For further information about Ben Wyvis NNR visit the SNH website.

For information on the protected areas associated with Ben Wyvis NNR please go to the SNHi website.

Other useful links:

Scottish Natural Heritage www.nature.scot

Joint Nature Conservation Committee www.jncc.gov.uk

For further information on Ben Wyvis NNR please contact: 

The Reserve Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage
Fodderty Way
Dingwall Business Park
Dingwall
IV15 9XB

Tel: 01463 701610

Email: nnr@snh.gov.uk

Website: www.nature.scot/ben-wyvis