Abernethy - Access drive upgrade_April 2022

Descriptions

The RSPB Abernethy Reserve is located in Strathspey, lying to the south and south-east of Nethy Bridge. The Reserve comprises a large extent of remnant Caledonian pine forest and higher open ground extending to the northern areas of the Cairngorm massif. The Reserve includes over 1000ha of blanket bog on the plateau between the hills of An Lurg and Bile Buidhe which is eroding and in need of restoration. Peatland Action has given approval in principle for a grant to carry out repairs and upgrading to the two main routes used to reach these peatland restoration sites. The access tracks are used regularly by walkers, cyclists, and on a daily basis by ATV’s and 4x4 vehicles by Reserve staff, deer stalkers and contractors. The Reserve has several conservation designations highlighting the sensitivity and importance of the site. These include the Abernethy Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Cairngorms SAC and the River Spey SPA. The methodology employed for carrying out these works must demonstrate consideration of this high level of protection. There will also be constraints imposed on working by some of these designations during the bird breeding season. All elements fall either wholly or partly within the Abernethy Forest SPA, which means that no work is permitted between the 1st of March 2022 and the 31st of July 2022 in the forest. Additional exclusion zones may be put in place outside of the forest from mid-February 2022.