The Management Plan for Blawhorn Moss NNR 2017-2027

Foreword

Blawhorn Moss is the largest and least disturbed lowland raised mire or bog in the Lothians. It is situated in the hills northwest of Blackridge, west of Armadale. Peatland was once common in Central Scotland but very little remains today, most bogs having been cut for peat, drained for farming or planted for forestry. This makes remaining areas, such as Blawhorn Moss, very important. The moss is one of a suite of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) in Scotland. Scotland’s NNRs are special places, where some of the best examples of Scotland’s wildlife are managed. Every NNR is carefully managed both for nature and for people, giving visitors the opportunity to experience our rich natural heritage.

‘The Story of Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve’ is a companion publication which has more information about Blawhorn Moss NNR and its history. The Story provides the foundation for managing the site and we recommended those wishing to understand more about the management of this very special place read this document. 

In 2016, we carried out a review of our last Plan for Blawhorn Moss 2009-2015. We used this, together with management plan workshops and specialist advice, to develop our future management proposals and inform the preparation of a draft Management Plan for 2017-2027. We opened the draft plan for public consultation. We collated your responses in a Consultation Report which is available from the Stirling SNH Office and informed the completion of this management plan.

The first section of this plan gives our vision for Blawhorn Moss NNR, describing how we would like to see the reserve in 2027. It specifies our objectives for management and outlines projects planned to deliver these objectives.

During the final year of the plan, we will review our progress against this plan to determine the future direction of our management on the reserve.

Maps of Blawhorn Moss NNR

Location map

NNR map 

Our Vision for Blawhorn Moss NNR

The Management Plan 2017-27 sets out our vision for the reserve, describing how we would like the reserve to be in 2027. We have framed our management for the next 10-years around delivering this vision.

Protected Areas and features

Blawhorn Moss first designated as a SSSI in 1971, with re-notifications in 1974 and 1984 is an important example of lowland raised mire. The international importance of the Moss was acknowledged in 2000 when it was proposed as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC); this status was confirmed in 2005. Our management of Blawhorn Moss has to take account of the features that are important in a European and UK context, as well as those of local importance. 

Whilst managing Blawhorn Moss NNR we have to take account of our legal obligations and Government policy to manage the features that are listed as important in a European or international context. This management plan has been appraised accordingly, and where a project listed in the plan is likely to have a significant effect on one or more of the qualifying features of the Special Protection Area or Ramsar site, we will carry out an 'appropriate assessment'. This includes all projects, whether they are direct habitat management or providing a new visitor facility on the reserve. We will only proceed if they do not adversely affect the integrity of the site. Likewise, we will also take account of obligations to manage features that are valued as important in a British context, as well as features that are locally important.

1. Natural Heritage Management (NH)

Objective NH1:  To restore fully the hydrological unit of the raised mire.

Objective description

Much work has been done in the past to restore the hydrological body of Blawhorn, especially in the central area of the site. For the term of this plan work will focus on getting the edges of the moss wetter through further bunding works and small scale damming using staff and volunteers. 

The moss will continue to be sheep grazed through the summer and will control any invading scrub. 

The effectiveness of the proposed and past management on the peat body water levels will be monitored using the new data logger system and the results assessed towards the end of this plan cycle.

Objective NH2:   To monitor and enhance the biodiversity of Blawhorn Moss NNR. 

Objective description

There has been limited recording of other species groups at Blawhorn in the past. The aim is to develop further recording of groups such as amphibians, reptiles and lepidoptera through working with volunteers and Oatridge College students. Training and support for the volunteers and students will hone skills and increase records for the site and surrounding area. It will also help develop local people’s connection with the site. 

We will also look at improving the management of other habitats besides the peatland at Blawhorn. We will cut alternate halves of the mineral strip each year to improve the flora and grazing value but maintain the invertebrate interest. We will also work to manage the surrounding habitats such as the pond and neighbouring peatland and grassland to improve them for wildlife and enhance the overall biodiversity of the area.

Objective NH3: Improve the ecological cohesion of Blawhorn as part of a network of peatland and wetland sites.

Objective description

Surrounding Blawhorn are a patchwork of non-designated peatlands and other habitats. We aim to look beyond the boundary of the designated site and achieve favourable management on some of these habitats. This will have the benefit of improving the hydrology of Blawhorn itself but also the biodiversity of the whole area. 

Work will start with looking at the pond and connected peatlands to the west and north of Blawhorn.

2. Management for People (VM)  

Objective VM1: Provide access facilities for a range of audiences to ensure a high quality visitor experience for all abilities as far as practically possible.

Objective description

We will review the existing facilities including the path network, car park, access road and signage to come up with a specific plan for improvements. This is likely to include expanding and improving the car park, making good the access road surface and looking at options to increase the path network on the NNR and its links to the surrounding area. Where possible these will facilitate access for people with a wide range of abilities.

Objective VM2:  To interpret Blawhorn Moss so visitors can appreciate it and understand what we are trying to achieve.

Objective description

We aim to improve the signage that directs people to the site so visitors can easily find the site. Once at the car park we want to improve the welcome and orientation signage so that visitors feel comfortable and can easily plan their visit. We will be looking at ways that visitors, both on and off-site, can learn more about Blawhorn Moss. This may involve improved on-site interpretation signs, self-guiding leaflets, web-based interpretation and more use of social media. 

Objective VM3:  Involve local people in the management of Blawhorn Moss

Objective description 

Building better links with the local community at Blackridge are essential for a sustainable future for Blawhorn Moss NNR. 

Firstly we need to raise awareness in the community about the NNR and we aim to do this through contributing regularly to the local newsletter, having a stand at the local gala day and hosting events for local people on the site. Much of this work is best achieved through partnership with groups in the area such as Blackridge community council, West Lothian ranger service, Beechbrae and the Central Scotland Green Network Trust.

Objective VM4:   Promote the use of Blawhorn moss for research and education.

Objective description

Blawhorn has a lot to offer in educational experiences. There has been considerable past work with Blackridge Primary School and we would like to develop this further. Ideally we would like to do this in a sustainable way so that there is a similar level of support offered each year to facilitate site visits. 

We also aim to continue and extend our work with Oatridge college students through practical work parties and hosting projects. By working with local universities on an opportunistic basis it will be possible to answer some of the questions we have about Blawhorn Moss through supporting student research projects.

3. Property Management

Objective PM1: To ensure the reserve is well managed.

Objective description

To ensure a safe and easy to access site we will carry out safety checks on all visitor fixtures on a quarterly basis and rectify any problems as soon as possible. We will also manage any agreements and leases in a timely and fair fashion. 

4. Planning and reporting

Objective PR1: Ensure management planning is adaptive and effective.

The reserve plan provides valuable continuity however it is only part of the process. We will monitor and review the plan 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. 

5. Summary

Over the next ten years we will continue to manage Blawhorn Moss to enhance the hydrology of the peatland by working on maintaining dams and bunds around the edge of the moss, controlling scrub and summer grazing. We will monitor the effectiveness of our management by maintaining our new data logger system and analysing the results.

We will begin to look beyond the immediate designated site boundary and look at the management of adjacent peatlands and wetlands connected to Blawhorn. Through working with neighbouring landowners on these connecting habitats we hope to create a network of interlinked peatland habitats enhancing the hydrology of the bog and the overall biodiversity of the area.

An important focus of the plan will be looking at how we can engage with local communities encouraging more people to come and enjoy the reserve, learn more about its important peatlands and be more involved with its management. We will review our access facilities and look at how we can improve existing facilities and how we can improve links to the surrounding area. We will review our interpretation and signage on and offsite and look at how we can use social media more effectively. We will provide opportunities for volunteers to assist with management and recording and develop positive links with Blackridge primary school to ensure local children have the opportunity to come and enjoy visits to the reserve.

6. Document properties

Author and contributors: David Pickett, Reserve Manager, Caroline Gallacher, Operations Officer, Neil Mitchell, Designated Sites Officer

Editor: Neil Mitchell, Designated Sites Officer.

Signed off by: Andy Dorin

Date: 19 April 2017

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