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Broubster Leans - RSPB
RSPB Acquires New 200 Hectare Wetland in North of Scotland
One of the most important breeding sites for wading birds in northern Britain is to become the RSPB's latest nature reserve thanks to the generous donations of its members. Broubster Leans - a rich and beautiful wetland that has developed on the floodplain of the Forss Water 7 km south west of Thurso - is the latest addition to RSPB's suite of nature reserves in Scotland.
50 Percent Decline in Waders
In the past decade, the number of waders in the area has halved from around 100 pairs to just 50. In coming years, RSPB aims to reverse this decline and then increase the wader population to 250 pairs. The new reserve will also be managed for the benefit of the wide variety of other birds, plants and insects that have made it their home, attracted by its mosaic of wet grasslands, pools, mires and drier pastures.
SSSI
As a result the site is already a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Traditional farming, particularly extensive cattle grazing, has been essential in maintaining this mixture of habitats.
Improved Farming Techniques
The new reserve - 200 ha of which has been bought, with a further 100 ha under a management agreement - forms about one fifth of the total wetland area at Broubster. Management will focus on working with local farmers to improve grazing and cutting of the wet centre of the Leans and to reinstate an arable rotation on the drier parts of the wetland. RSPB hopes that this will demonstrate how sympathetic farming can work in tandem with nature conservation to produce benefits for wildlife, farmers and the future of the countryside.
Dr Peter Mayhew, RSPB's senior conservation manager for north Scotland, said: ‘For many years RSPB has worked hard to acquire a reserve in this magical part of Scotland where some of our best loved species can thrive, so this is a fantastic opportunity for us. Over the last twenty years we have seen an alarming decrease in some of our wader and farmland bird populations, coupled to the loss of wetland habitat and changes in land management practices. At Broubster the delicate balance of pasture, fen and wetland that have been established over centuries of human interaction with the land makes this an exceptional area despite it being one of the toughest farming environments in the UK. Working with local farmers and crofters, we hope to restore the habitats for breeding birds like lapwing, snipe and redshank whilst maintaining the wintering populations of geese and swans. We also hope to bring back the great yellow bumblebee to Broubster, one of the most threatened insects in Britain, a few colonies of which are found close by.’
He added: ‘Caithness has nationally important populations of waders on a number of different sites scattered throughout the County. Broubster will be a demonstration project to trial new management techniques to help restore these other wetlands, in partnership with local farmers.’
One of the most important breeding sites for wading birds in northern Britain is to become the RSPB's latest nature reserve thanks to the generous donations of its members. Broubster Leans - a rich and beautiful wetland that has developed on the floodplain of the Forss Water 7 km south west of Thurso - is the latest addition to RSPB's suite of nature reserves in Scotland.
50 Percent Decline in Waders
In the past decade, the number of waders in the area has halved from around 100 pairs to just 50. In coming years, RSPB aims to reverse this decline and then increase the wader population to 250 pairs. The new reserve will also be managed for the benefit of the wide variety of other birds, plants and insects that have made it their home, attracted by its mosaic of wet grasslands, pools, mires and drier pastures.
SSSI
As a result the site is already a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Traditional farming, particularly extensive cattle grazing, has been essential in maintaining this mixture of habitats.
Improved Farming Techniques
The new reserve - 200 ha of which has been bought, with a further 100 ha under a management agreement - forms about one fifth of the total wetland area at Broubster. Management will focus on working with local farmers to improve grazing and cutting of the wet centre of the Leans and to reinstate an arable rotation on the drier parts of the wetland. RSPB hopes that this will demonstrate how sympathetic farming can work in tandem with nature conservation to produce benefits for wildlife, farmers and the future of the countryside.
Dr Peter Mayhew, RSPB's senior conservation manager for north Scotland, said: ‘For many years RSPB has worked hard to acquire a reserve in this magical part of Scotland where some of our best loved species can thrive, so this is a fantastic opportunity for us. Over the last twenty years we have seen an alarming decrease in some of our wader and farmland bird populations, coupled to the loss of wetland habitat and changes in land management practices. At Broubster the delicate balance of pasture, fen and wetland that have been established over centuries of human interaction with the land makes this an exceptional area despite it being one of the toughest farming environments in the UK. Working with local farmers and crofters, we hope to restore the habitats for breeding birds like lapwing, snipe and redshank whilst maintaining the wintering populations of geese and swans. We also hope to bring back the great yellow bumblebee to Broubster, one of the most threatened insects in Britain, a few colonies of which are found close by.’He added: ‘Caithness has nationally important populations of waders on a number of different sites scattered throughout the County. Broubster will be a demonstration project to trial new management techniques to help restore these other wetlands, in partnership with local farmers.’
| Birdlife of Broubster Leans The wetland bird population of Broubster Leans has historically been notable in terms of the number of species it supports. Nine species of wader (oystercatcher, lapwing, snipe, curlew, redshank, greenshank, wood sandpiper, common sandpiper and dunlin) have bred at the site. In addition, the site has attracted calling spotted crake and summering common crane and marsh harrier. Hen harriers use the site throughout the year and short-eared owls are regular in good vole years but do not breed there. The site regularly supports a wintering population of 200 Greenland white-fronted geese, which is at the 1% threshold for national importance for this species. The trend for this flock is a slow increase, in contrast to the national population. Broubster Leans is also regionally important for other wintering wildfowl such as whooper swan, Icelandic greylag goose and a range of duck species. | Other Wildlife at Broubster Leans  Important non-avian species present at the site include otter and the nationally scarce narrow small-reed Calamagrostis stricta. Water voles are present, but their numbers have dwindled recently It is also suitable for great yellow bumblebee management, for which RSPB is a lead BAP partner. |
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