The Reserve Plan Review for Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve 2015- 2025
Foreword
Loch Fleet NNR is one of a suite of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) in Scotland. They 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 nature of these places and to contribute to our knowledge and enjoyment of these areas.
In 2015, we carried out a public consultation on our future proposals for the management of Loch Fleet NNR. Feedback from the consultation informed the completion of the Reserve Plan 2015 – 2025, which set out our management for the reserve during that period. We have now come to the end of that plan and have started to think about the future direction of our management. This report reviews our achievements and progress against the management objectives set out in the Reserve Plan for Loch Fleet NNR 2015 - 2025.
Address:
NatureScot,
The Links,
Golspie Business Park,
Golspie,
Sutherland
KW10 6UB
Our Vision for Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve
Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve is special; the aim is to keep it that way. The Reserve Plan 2015 - 2025 sets out our vision for the Reserve describing how we would like the Reserve to be in 2035. The management we have carried out over the past 10 years has been framed with this vision in mind.
Vision
The tidal Loch Fleet basin provides ideal habitat for a diverse range of winter waterfowl and coastal breeding birds. Coastal bird habitats remain free from disturbance and detrimental activities and are in excellent condition.
Salt marshes, sand-dunes and shingle ridges support natural coastal grassland and heath communities rich in wildflowers and lichens. There are extensive areas of high-quality lichen-rich heaths supporting fragile scarce lichen species.
The Scots pine trees are of mixed age and the woodland is developing a natural character with some mature wide-crowned pine trees. There is a typical native ground flora hosting healthy populations of scarce pinewood plants and extensive areas of luxuriant lichens.
Loch Fleet is accessible for people to enjoy, learn about and appreciate its diverse natural heritage. Local people continue to take pride in the reserve and are involved in caring for it. We continue to work in partnership providing volunteering opportunities and a variety of events.
Changes to habitats and species through the unavoidable impact of climate change and coastal processes are built into the management planning process.
Management for Natural Heritage
Objective 1: Woodland habitats: Improve the condition of the pine woodland by improving the structure classes and tree species diversity whilst maintaining suitable habitat for important woodland communities.
| Task No. | Task Description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH1.1 | Undertake SCM and Site Check on pine woodland and vascular plant assemblage. | Not achieved |
| NH1.2 | Remove regeneration of non-native species as per management agreement, but identify and maintain selected beech trees with amenity/ visual value. | Partially achieved |
| NH1.3 | Thin Ferry Wood following best practice management for one-flowered wintergreen and lichen heath | Achieved ongoing |
| NH1.4 | Increase proportion of native broadleaved trees within both Ferry and Balblair Wood. | Achieved ongoing |
| NH1.5 | Support the estate with deer management as required | Achieved ongoing |
| NH1.6 | Actively create dead-wood resource throughout Ferry and Balblair Woods away from public areas (e.g. paths and roads) for enhanced woodland ecology. | Achieved ongoing |
| NH1.7 | Demonstrate the woodland management best practice in Balblair Wood and Ferry Wood to other interested land managers. | Not achieved |
| NH1.8 | Survey Ferry Wood to establish extent of one-flowered wintergreen and twinflower populations. | Partially achieved |
| NH1.9 | Consider increasing the twinflower population by extending the distribution within Balblair Wood by supplementary planting and creating suitable habitat. | Not achieved |
| NH1.10 | Liaise with SWT, HRSG and local community over proposed red squirrel re-introduction within Balblair Wood (SWT leading). | Achieved |
| NH1.11 | Review Woodland Management Plan to achieve a diverse woodland structure while enhancing vascular plant interest | Achieved |
| NH1.12 | Support research into rare woodland plants with RBGE | Not required |
| NH1.13 | Consider removal of fence along Littleferry plantation to facilitate a better woodland transition and reduce perception of an artificial boundary between sand dune and pine woodland | Partially achieved |
| NH1.14 | Install osprey nest camera at Kirkton with links to NNR website and community | Not achieved |
| NH1.15 | Explore options for pine marten den box with camera. | Not achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Monitoring of habitats was not undertaken as neither feature was selected for survey part of NatureScot’s national monitoring programme.
Control of non-native species, including Western Hemlock, Sitka spruce, beech, rhododendron was undertaken and continues to be an important management task. Rhododendron control remains challenging and control of it is ongoing. Mature spruce and Western hemlock were removed from the reserve as part of woodland management carried out during thinning operations.
Ferry Wood was thinned twice during the plan and care was taken to avoid damage to sensitive lichen and fungi locations. New deadwood was created as part of thinning operations, windblow clearance and non-native tree removal in both Ferry and Balblair Woods.
Loch Fleet’s woodlands were included as part of the long-term forest plan for all the estate’s woodlands. Deer management is an ongoing requirement in the woodlands due to the lack of natural regeneration. This is undertaken by the landowner; we provided support for deer management by purchasing portable high seats to aid stalking across the NNR.
Native broadleaves continue to be monitored and we are pleased to report broadleaf species, particularly in Balblair Wood have increased in the latter part of the plan. A partial survey for one flowered wintergreen was undertaken. A full survey was not carried out due to ecological sensitives and a lack of staff time to deliver the survey.
North Highland Twinflower Initiative, proposed to expand twinflower at Loch Fleet however, after assessment they decided that site is not suitable for twinflower translocation or expansion. However, we were able to provide samples from Loch Fleet for translocation in other parts of Scotland. This work is helping improve the extent and genetic diversity of twinflower populations and should make them more robust to pressures in future.
Red squirrels were released outside of the NNR, however, there is evidence that they are now in Balblair Wood and it is expected that they will continue to expand at Loch Fleet and the wider area.
Osprey nest and pine marten den cameras were not delivered due to technological constraints and the lack of a location of where to display footage.
Objective 2: Coastal Habitats: Improve condition of coastal habitats by controlling invasive species but allow natural coastal processes to continue.
| Task no. | Task Description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH2.1 | Undertake Site Check and Site Condition Monitoring of sand dunes and salt marsh. | Achieved |
| NH2.2 | Explore options and if appropriate instigate measures to restore nesting tern colonies. | Achieved |
| NH2.3 | Trial swiping on the dune grassland and heath areas as a method of controlling rank vegetation and improving species diversity within sward. | Achieved |
| NH2.4 | Control gorse regeneration along dune but maintain large stands to provide a suitable habitat for small birds and butterflies. | Achieved/ongoing |
| NH2.5 | Continue removal of pine tree saplings from the sand dune and dune heath. | Achieved/ongoing |
| NH2.6 | Establish scrub control plan on the reserve using volunteer workforce. | Achieved/ongoing |
| NH2.7 | Operation of Softrak for management of scrub and dune grassland | Achieved |
| NH2.8 | Control invasive native and non-native species from dune system | Achieved/ongoing |
Objective evaluation:
Monitoring of sand dunes was undertaken as part of a national monitoring programme in 2014/15. Sand dune habitat was found to be in poor condition due to invasive scrub and trees as well as invasive native and non-native species, including Japanese rose (Rosa Rugosa), giant hogweed and rosebay willowherb. The diversity of the dunes in places was limited due to a lack of grazing management within the NNR. A Sitecheck was undertaken on the saltmarsh, and it was found to be in good condition.
Measures to restore nesting tern colonies were investigated and considered however, no measures were taken forward due to the requirement to restrict visitor and dog access to a historic tern nesting area. Rafts were also considered as part of restoring tern colonies, however, were ruled out for various reasons including tidal and current conditions at Littleferry, cost of installation and maintenance.
Scrub control on the dune has been undertaken and continues although control during the plan has remained poor due to a lack of staff resource, lack of equipment, a cessation of volunteering and the departure of Scottish Wildlife Trust from the reserve. We undertook a large-scale scrub control on the dunes using contractors and this cleared 0.8 ha of scrub. Scrub control will remain a priority issue and will continue in the next plan.
The NatureScot Softrak was trialled at Loch Fleet to cut both gorse and rank dune grassland. The trial was partially successful but was not continued due to cost of operating the Softrak, the reliability of the machine and availability trained operators.
Invasive non-native species (INNS) (rosa rugosa, giant hogweed and rosebay willowherb) were controlled during the plan period but was only partially successful. Monitoring for INNS is undertaken and where required further control is undertaken. Ragwort is recognised as an important plant for pollinators and is not a non-native species. It is found across dune systems; however, some ragwort was pulled in areas close to houses to reduce ragwort expansion in neighbouring properties.
Objective 3: Intertidal Habitat: Return the intertidal habitats in unfavourable recovering condition as a minimum.
| Task No. | Task Description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH3.1 | Undertake SCM and Site Check of sandflats, saltmarsh, eelgrass beds, wintering wildfowl assemblage, osprey, greylag goose and wigeon. | Achieved. |
| NH3.2 | Keep estuary free from unnecessary disturbance. | Partially Achieved/ongoing |
| NH3.3 | Monitor, erect signage and ensure compliance of the Nature Conservation Order to protect marine invertebrates. | Achieved/ongoing |
| NH3.4 | Consider and where required install new osprey platforms around the reserve to encourage osprey to nest within the reserve. | Achieved |
| NH3.5 | Install and maintain seasonal seal disturbance notices | Achieved |
| NH3.6 | Consider research project into seal activity and use at Loch Fleet. | Not required |
Objective evaluation:
Monitoring of habitats was undertaken as part of NatureScot’s national monitoring programme. Saltmarsh and sandflats remain in good condition. Eelgrass has suffered a severe decline with an estimated 90% reduction in eelgrass beds at Loch Fleet. The cause for this decline is not fully understood and we are working with our Marine advisors to establish a cause for this severe decline. Once we have a better understanding of the issues we will look at whether we can take action to reverse the decline.
Visitor management signs to prevent seal disturbance and for the Nature Conservation Order to prohibit shellfish and marine invertebrate collection were maintained throughout the plan period, although there were several breaches of this NCO during the NNR plan. Signs were maintained and put out when required, however, success was mixed in reducing unnecessary disturbance. Challenges remain with increasing popularity of water sports and drone activity and on seal disturbance. Staffing constraints mean that regular monitoring of disturbance is not possible, and signage remains our primary tool to reduce disturbance and support enforcement of the NCO.
Consideration was given to installing new osprey platforms, however, it was deemed unnecessary due to the success of breeding ospreys within and around the NNR.
A separate research project into seal activity and use at Loch Fleet was not required as research is already undertaken by Aberdeen University’s Cromarty Field Station as part of a long running research project.
Objective 4: Lichens: Maintain the diversity and distribution of lichen species across the reserve, particularly the known populations of the 15 Red Data Book species.
| Task No. | Task Description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH4.1 | Selectively thin areas within the plantation to encourage regeneration of pine and to benefit the ground flora of lichen rich heath. | Achieved. |
| NH4.2 | Re-survey lichen heath across Ferry Wood and dunes to update Coppins and Coppins 1998 report to inform on management of wood for the benefit of lichen heath | Not achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Lichen glades within Ferry Wood were protected by establishing timber extraction routes that avoid lichen rich areas. Invasive non-native species regeneration, principally Sitka spruce and Western Hemlock, were and continue to be controlled by felling, cutting and hand pulling in Ferry Wood including in lichen glades.
The proposal to resurvey the lichen heath and dunes to inform woodland management was not taken forward.
Management for People
Objective 1: Provide a quality visitor experience.
| Task No. | Task Description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| VM1.1 | Review and update information on Scotland's NNR website every 6 months. | Achieved. |
| VM1.2 | Maintain supply of reserve leaflets are available on NNR and distribute to local outlets. | Achieved |
| VM1.3 | Review and update information in the NNR leaflet. | Achieved |
| VM1.4 | Install new directional sign for bird hide from main path. | Achieved |
| VM1.5 | A9 Tourist road sign - Erect brown tourism sign in English & Gaelic at Ferry Road junction, Golspie. | Not achieved |
| VM1.6 | Maintain people counter at Balblair Wood and collate data for quarterly reporting | Not achieved |
| VM1.7 | Install double leaflet box at the Mound carpark to promote reserve and consider promoting other NNRs | Not required |
| VM1.8 | Refresh the entrance to Balblair Wood to provide a more accessible design. | Not achieved |
| VM1.9 | Ensure that all kissing gates are compatible with electric wheelchair and horse users. | Achieved |
| VM1.10 | Consider including public art on the reserve reflecting the habitats and species found on the reserve. | Not achieved |
| VM1.11 | Review interpretation provision across the reserve incorporating tasks VM1.10-1.16 | Achieved |
| VM1.12 | Develop Pine Woodland and rare plant interpretation with detail on deadwood and forest plans in Balblair Wood. | Achieved |
| VM1.13 | Consider implementation of insect (butterflies, moths and bees) and dune interpretation on Littleferry Links. | Not achieved |
| VM1.14 | Develop interpretation trails around the reserve to promote habitats and species, including specific interpretation to promote outdoor experience. | Partially achieved |
| VM1.15 | Update information panels in existing interpretation panels with new design and information. | Partially achieved |
| VM1.16 | Consider providing interpretation information about the lichen communities at Littleferry. | Not achieved. |
| VM1.17 | Provide guided walks and events. Encourage continued use by Highland Council Ranger. | Partially achieved |
| VM1.18 | Install Seal watch Point interpretation panels at layby near Skelbo | Achieved |
| VM1.19 | Undertake Visitor Management Plan (VMP) to review current visitor facilities and consider options for the further development. | Achieved |
| VM1.20 | Maintain dog waste bags on the reserve and ensure dispensers remain in good condition. | Partially achieved |
| VM1.21 | Improve the visitor experience at Littleferry | Not achieved |
| VM1.22 | Appraise options for new path or boardwalk in Ferry wood including Lichen heath and rare plants interpretation. | Achieved |
| VM1.23 | Remove and dispose of dilapidated roadside fence in order to improve visitor experience of the NNR. | Partially achieved/ Ongoing |
| VM1.24 | Install pond platform on Loch Unes to be used for educational purposes. | Not achieved |
| VM1.25 | Contribution towards the extension of Golspie - Balblair cycle path | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
The NNR website is updated by the wider National Nature Reserves team where updates are required. The supply of leaflets was maintained until COVID when all leaflets were removed to avoid them becoming a touch point. Subsequently a central decision has been made to cease leaflet production for all NNRs and instead move to online resources. No leaflet box was installed at the Mound car park as following a review it was considered unnecessary.
New signage was installed along Balblair path to mark the route to the Balblair Bay bird hide. The road sign on the A9 was not progressed due to complications with the junction being located on a trunk road.
The entrance to Balblair was upgraded with new posts and gates early in the plan. Access to the NNR was reviewed and where barriers to accessibility were identified these were addressed, except for wheelchair access to the picnic tables at Littleferry as applications for external funding for this, as part of wider improvements to visitor infrastructure, were unsuccessful.
New interpretation was installed in Balblair Wood as the previous panels had reached the end of their life. Seal watchpoint interpretation bought by the Sutherland Partnership and installed by reserve staff. Littleferry car park was resurfaced, and new picnic benches were purchased to replace the two damaged ones at Littleferry. Although it is recognised that improvements can be made to facilities at Littleferry no further improvements were made due to a lack of funding.
A visitor management plan was undertaken during the plan which showed the potential for better facilities and investment in infrastructure. Some actions in this plan were implemented, however some of the larger infrastructure and access improvements were not taken forward due to us being unsuccessful in securing external funding. We may consider implementing infrastructure improvements under the next plan. Actions relating to motorhomes were implemented, where possible, and where it was the role of NatureScot. These included better signage, implementation of one night stay policy, promotion of local motorhome facilities and a restriction on motorhomes overnighting in Littleferry South car park.
An appraisal of the options for new path or boardwalk in Ferry wood including Lichen heath and rare plants interpretation was conducted, however, it was not viable to take forward due to costs involved. Similarly, a pond dipping platform on Loch Unes was not take forward due to costs and concerns around safety.
Removal of the Ferry Wood fence was partially achieved. Sections that had fallen down or were a hazard were removed and work is ongoing to remove the remainder of the dilapidated fence around Ferry Wood.
Contributions were made to both phases of the Golspie to Balblair cycle path with the final section delivered in March 2024.
Objective 2: Engaging with the community: Engage with local communities and support volunteering.
| Task No. | Task Description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| VM2.1 | Hold 20th and 25th Anniversary Parties in 2018 and 2023. | Not achieved |
| VM2.2 | Hold biennial open days as staff time allows. | Partially achieved |
| VM2.3 | Create volunteer NNR tasks for wildlife monitoring and practical conservation management tasks. Consider best format for distribution and involvement, liaise with SWT/HC Ranger. | Partially achieved |
| VM2.4 | Promote reserve to local schools as a location for outdoor learning. | Partially achieved |
| VM2.5 | Continue to support volunteers-based conservation management. | Partially achieved |
| VM2.6 | Support installation of new bat boxes to encourage larger bat species to roost within the reserve | Achieved |
| VM2.7 | Hold biennial liaison group meetings | Partially achieved |
| VM2.8 | Support North Highland Bat Network to continue the bat box monitoring project and encourage them to share results with other bat and biodiversity groups. | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Events were held on the reserve during the plan period except during COVID. Staff resources limited the delivery of some events that were planned as well as school group visits.
A volunteer group was established and led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust in partnership with NatureScot staff. The group met once a month up until COVID 19 global pandemic. After COVID and following the departure of Scottish Wildlife Trust, all volunteer activities, with the exception of NatureScot staff volunteer days, ended as reserve staff were unable to provide the support required to run and establish volunteer work parties.
Liaison group meetings were undertaken up to COVID 19 pandemic and have not restarted since due to the lack of a Nature Reserve Agreement. It is hoped to restart these once the agreement has been signed. Better contact has been established with the community council during the plan and remains a keyway of updating and informing the local community of management on the reserve.
Bat boxes were purchased and installed on the reserve, and these are checked annually by local bat volunteers.
Property management
Objective 2: Manage the Reserve property responsibly following best practice.
| Task No. | Task Description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| PM1.1 | Maintain car park, access, gates and paths in good condition. | Partially achieved |
| PM1.2 | Carry out quarterly safety and condition assessments of all visitor infrastructure, keep accurate records and repair defective infrastructure in timely manner. | Achieved |
| PM1.3 | Liaise with Sutherland Estates to ensure the management of property conforms with all Health and Safety Regulations. | Achieved |
| PM1.4 | Review fire plans including risk assessment with Sutherland Estates | Achieved |
| PM1.5 | Renew/upgrade Balblair wood path to meet Countryside Paths for All standard with the aim for reaching 'Easy' status. | Not achieved |
| PM1.6 | Remove old shooting range equipment from site and tidy area. | Not achieved |
| PM1.7 | Install new vehicle access and kissing gate at Kart track entrance to prevent unauthorised vehicle access being taken on the dunes. | Not achieved |
| PM1.8 | Liaise with Highland Birchwoods on repairs to bird hide until the end of MOA in 2018. | Achieved |
| PM1.9 | Structural repairs to Culmaily footbridge. | Achieved |
| PM1.10 | Maintenance of bird hide following end of MOA | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Balblair Wood path was fully resurfaced early in the plan. The path is graded as moderately strenuous prior to the repairs being undertaken after the grading was undertaken. Littleferry car park was re-surfaced and defective tarmac replaced. Balblair car park has not been resurfaced due to a lack of available budget, however, reserve staff continue to try to keep the car park in a safe and usable condition.
Safety inspections and a fire plan review was undertaken during the plan period and will continue to be undertaken as per best practice. Liaison with Highland Birchwoods over the hide continued until 2018 and any routine maintenance is now undertaken by NatureScot. Shooting range equipment has not yet been removed but is scheduled to be disposed of by the landowner early in the next plan period.
Summary
Loch Fleet hosts a diverse range of habitats and associated species with coastal salt marshes, sand dunes and intertidal habitats sitting right alongside Scots pine woodland. These habitats are home to numerous coastal waterfowl during the winter months, while summer brings nesting ospreys, rare fungi and lichens and rich botanical treasures.
Work to remove non-native trees and rhododendron from the Scots pine wood was undertaken in Balblair Wood early in the plan, but work continues to be required across both Ferry Wood and in Balblair. Small scale scrub control was undertaken by reserve staff, but the extent of control was limited by staff resource, funding and availability of appropriate equipment. A larger scrub control project was undertaken on the dunes in late 2024, but further control and follow-up treatment will be needed. Cutting dune grassland was trialled over a small area using the NatureScot Softrak, although success was mixed due to machine reliability issues. Clearing gorse, particularly on the thinner younger gorse, with the Softrak was successful. Some of the habitat management tasks were not completed due to a lack of staff capacity to deliver tasks or the availability of funding.
Scots pine wood, sand dune grassland or eelgrass features continue to be in poor condition and while some management tasks have been delivered we recognise that the scale and pace of management needs to increase.
The COVID 19 pandemic and NC500 brought increased visitor numbers in the years which followed. Visitor numbers on the NNR are approximately 70,000 visitors a year on the north side of the NNR. It is not known what the figures were before, but we are confident these have increased over the plan period. The increase has been organic and largely related to the NC500, COVID 19 and a general national increase in outdoor recreation. Staff resource was supplemented by a seasonal reserve officer who covered Loch Fleet and other Highland NNRs between 2020 and 2024 as part of additional cover deployed across NatureScot NNRs to manage these rising visitor numbers.
Some visitor facilities were improved, including larger projects to resurface the Balblair Wood track and Littleferry south car park. Other smaller scale improvements included replacing benches and new interpretation in Balblair Wood and in the Balblair hide. The two Balblair Wood path extensions were supported by NatureScot and completed during the plan further enhancing the visitor provision.
Changes to staffing and budgetary constraints have impacted on the delivery of some tasks within the plan. While progress has been made in some areas, this has unfortunately affected our ability to deliver the plan in its entirety and is something that we will be considering under the next NNR plan.
Document properties
Author: Adam Rose
Editor: Neil Mitchell
Approved by: Juan Brown
Date: 27/11/2024
