The Reserve Plan Review for Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve 2014 – 2024
Goldeneye juvenile © Gus Routledge 2023
Foreword
Muir of Dinnet NNR is one of a suite of NNRs in Scotland. NNRs 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 natural heritage of these places and to contribute to our knowledge and enjoyment of these areas.
In 2014, we carried out a public consultation on our future proposals for the management of Muir of Dinnet NNR. Your feedback from the consultation informed the completion of the Reserve Plan 2014 – 2024, 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 Muir of Dinnet NNR 2014 - 2024.
Address:
NatureScot,
Burn O’ Vat Visitor Centre,
Dinnet,
Aboyne,
Aberdeenshire,
AB34 5NB
Our Vision for Muir of Dinnet NNR
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve is special; the aim is to keep it that way. The Reserve Plan 2014 - 2024 sets out our vision for the Reserve describing how we would like the Reserve to be in 2024. The management we have carried out over the past 10 years has been framed with this vision in mind.
Vision
Muir of Dinnet is a special place with a rich natural and cultural heritage. It is an excellent example of a mosaic of habitats, reflecting the underlying geodiversity, and supporting heath, open water, bog and mixed woodland.
The glacial landforms, dating from the end of the Ice Age, are in excellent condition and provide an exemplary example of Earth heritage interpretation. The internationally important bearberry heath has doubled in size and is in excellent condition as a result of our carefully planned and executed burning and tree removal programme.
Sensitive management has also maintained a pine and birch woodland which has spread by natural regeneration, and now covers most of Culblean Hill. The rare aspen woodland has also expanded.
The water quality of Loch Davan is continuing to improve, and the loch's plant communities are beginning to resemble those of Loch Kinord. Likewise, the Reserve's bogs and fen are also in good condition now that more natural water tables have been restored. Characteristic plants and animals of the woodland, heath, open water and bog habitats thrive.
A healthy population of otter continues to breed on the Reserve, large numbers of wintering wildfowl arrive each Autumn and the number of bird species recorded has grown. Rare species of insects such as, Kentish glory moth and the aspen hoverfly are also flourishing in their respective habitats.
Our management on the Reserve follows best practice. Demonstration events are helping to communicate our knowledge gained through specialised management to other land managers. Good visitor management ensures there is little impact on the geodiversity, wildlife and habitats.
All visitors appreciate and respect the Reserve, its wildlife and other visitors. Many groups visit the Reserve for educational purposes and all visitors make good use of the excellent facilities and materials available to them. The landowner and local people are proud of the Reserve and are actively involved in its management.
Management for Natural Heritage
Objective NH1: Heath habitats: To progress towards restoring 78ha of bearberry heath into favourable condition ensuring suitable habitats for important heath communities are retained.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH1.1 | Restore habitat connectivity between the north and south of road by removing all scrub regeneration from approximately 4ha. of heath by 2016. | Not Achieved |
| NH1.2 | Establish the management requirements for restoration of the remaining area of bearberry heath to favourable condition and draw up a phased management plan. | Partly Achieved |
| NH1.3 | Implement phased habitat improvement of the bearberry heath at approximately 3ha per year. | Achieved |
| NH1.4 | Share expertise on the management of bearberry heath for application at the wider landscape scale of management in the Cairngorms National Park. | Achieved |
| NH1.5 | Remove gorse from the bearberry heath by 2015 and control future spread through rotational burning | Partly Achieved |
| NH1.6 | Maintain 32ha of existing bearberry heath and all restored heath habitat by rotational burning and swiping | Partially Achieved |
| NH1.7 | Co-ordinate annual muirburn with colleagues from other NNRs to ensure additional staff resources are available to successfully bring mature areas back into appropriate rotation. | Partially Achieved |
| NH1.8 | Update burning equipment to allow greater capacity for burning | Achieved |
| NH1.9 | Map heath extent baselines and establish a monitoring programme to record management and habitat condition, including an assessment of bearberry re-establishment. Repeat monitoring every 3 years | Not Achieved |
| NH1.10 | Undertake Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) for lowland wet heath in 2015 and a Site Check for all heath features in 2019 | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Controlled muirburn was undertaken on the bearberry heath almost annually from 2014 – 2020. Areas of heath north and south side of road have been burned in rotation through this period. There was no controlled muirburn 2020/2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and there was no muirburn in 2022/23 due to change in reserve staff and training requirements.
Gorse has been controlled annually using herbicide and burning. Gorse abundance has declined since 2014. Further work is being completed throughout the winter of 23/24 to eradicate it from the northern section of bearberry heath. Throughout the period of annual burning 2014 – 2020, colleagues from other NNRs routinely helped with controlled muirburn sessions on the bearberry heath. An Argocat with a fire tender attachment was purchased in 2016 and has been used when controlled muirburn has taken place. Muirburn expertise has been shared with RSPB staff on the bearberry heath also.
NH1.1 has been on hold to allow discussions between Scottish Forestry, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and NatureScot over this proposal.
Objective NH2: To maintain the water quality of the lochs in favourable condition whilst ensuring suitable habitat for wetland species are also maintained.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH2.1 | Collate water quality data from SEPA to identify changes and requirements for adaptive management. | Partly Achieved |
| NH2.2 | Collate Logie Burn management improvement monitoring results from Hutton Institute to identify change and requirements for adaptive management | Achieved ongoing |
| NH2.3 | Carry out annual geese and waterfowl monitoring, including collating WeBs counts and Site Check in 2019. | Partly Achieved |
| NH2.4 | Remove all non-native invasive plants including Himalayan balsam annually. | Achieved ongoing |
| NH2.5 | Undertake SCM of otter in 2017 and record signs of presence. | Not Required |
| NH2.6 | Undertake Site Check for loch features in 2018 | Not Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Annual management has been done to try and keep Himalayan balsam at bay on the Logie Burn. There has been no increase of Himalayan balsam on the reserve. James Hutton Institute has been involved with annual monitoring of Logie Burn.
SEPA have undertaken macrophyte survey work on Loch Davan and Kinord annually. Fixed point photography was also undertaken by James Hutton Institute on Logie Burn. Staff resource meant that site condition monitoring could not be achieved during the course of the plan.
A wooded Loch shoreline on Muir of Dinnet NNR
Objective NH3: To maintain 48ha of mire and bog habitats by improving the condition of mire habitats on the reserve and maintaining Parkin's Moss in favourable condition.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH3.1 | Establish the management requirements for improving the condition of Black and Ordie Mosses and draw up a phased management plan. | Not Achieved |
| NH3.2 | Implement phased habitat improvement at Black Moss, largely consisting of tree felling and ditch damming on priority areas of the moss. | Achieved |
| NH3.3 | Establish current scrub cover at Black Moss using stereo imagery and use this to develop a phased approach to scrub removal so that scrub cover is scattered across the moss at less than 10% cover in total. Repeat stereo imagery every 5 years to monitor progress. | Partly Achieved |
| NH3.4 | Maintain the existing dams at Parkin's Moss | Achieved |
| NH3.5 | Maintain 6ha of Parkin's Moss free from scrub encroachment & remove a further 1ha trees from potential bog habitat. | Achieved |
| NH3.6 | Undertake Site Check for mires and bog features in 2019. | Not Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Work has been done extensively on Black and Parkins Moss to remove scrub and dams have been implemented on Parkins and Black Moss. Contractors were out on site on Black Moss in 2015 removing trees from 17 hectares of the moss. Parkins Moss has been managed in-house with NNR staff and external volunteer groups as has Black Moss. Imagery of Black Moss scrub removal was also undertaken. The removal of trees and implementation of dams has allowed improvement of the bog habitats and associated species. Parkins Moss is a lot more saturated and the raised bog feature is now in better condition.
Objective NH4: Maintain at least 400ha of woodland, improving the structure classes and tree species diversity, especially conditions for aspen, whilst maintaining suitable habitat for important woodland communities.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH4.1 | Establish woodland structure and species diversity baseline using Native Woodland Survey Scotland methodology. Repeat monitoring in 2026. | Not Achieved |
| NH4.2 | Prepare woodland management plan in conjunction with Dinnet Estate Forest Plan. | Not Achieved |
| NH4.3 | Expand aspen woodland by protecting (tubing) existing suckers and fencing enclosures within neighbouring fields | Achieved |
| NH4.4 | Remove all non-native invasive plants. Watching brief on rhododendron beside Cambus o May hotel. | Achieved ongoing |
| NH4.5 | Implement woodland structure improvement management. | Not Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
The aspen wood has seen significant regeneration since 2014, much of which is spreading south towards Loch Kinord. Tree tubing has been done to protect the regeneration, this has worked well. The majority of tree tubes used were biodegradable and all were recyclable, most of which have been used on more than one tree. Recently we have applied for the aspen wood to become a Genetic Conservation Unit. Genetic Conservation Units are a European network of sites, showcasing their importance of genetic diversity and natural processes. Our Aspen Wood is an important genetic source, and this will be recognised through this designation. Rhododendron has been controlled annually up until 2020 and is now at a record low. Staffing resource meant that undertaking some woodland management works was not achievable.
A large amount of Aspen regeneration on the reserve.
Nationally rare Aspen Bristle Moss from the Muir of Dinnet NNR Aspen Wood
Objective NH5: Maintain the diversity and distribution of heath, lochs, mires, bogs and woodland habitats for important invertebrate species across the reserve.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH5.1 | Map important Kentish glory moth areas. | Partly Achieved |
| NH5.2 | Maintain Kentish glory moth habitat by leaving patches of birch scrub to develop to approximately 3-4m in height before felling on rotation. | Achieved |
| NH5.3 | Continue to cut bracken patches near New Kinord for pearl-bordered fritillary. | Achieved |
| NH5.4 | Undertake Site Check for 6 species of dragonfly on the reserve and invertebrate assemblage features every 5 years | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Birch scrub has been left on the bearberry heath and in small sections at Parkins Moss for the Kentish glory moth, which has been recorded almost annually on the reserve. Pearl-bordered fritillary are doing well and annual management by cutting bracken is undertaken.
The dragonfly SSSI feature was surveyed and is in favourable condition – a further 2 species have been added to the reserve list during the 10 years of the management plan. Common darter and blue-tailed damselfly have now both been now recorded on the reserve. Habitat creation around Loch Kinord has also boosted the northern damselfly population.
Objective NH6: Maintain the diversity and distribution of heath, lochs, mires, bogs and woodland habitats for important breeding bird species across the reserve.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH6.1 | Investigate management options for providing additional scrapes for breeding waders in 2018. | Not Achieved |
| NH6.2 | Create additional scrapes for breeding waders if options for management are available | Not Achieved |
| NH6.3 | Retain standing large moribund (dead) trees on Parkin's Moss for roosting waders. | Achieved |
| NH6.4 | Maintain a variety of bird boxes throughout the reserve and record usage | Achieved |
| NH6.5 | Undertake Site Check for breeding bird assemblage feature in 2018 & 2023, noting species presence on an annual basis. | Achieved |
| NH6.6 | Create breeding bird habitat on Loch Kinord/Davan by provision of artificial island/s. | Achieved |
| NH6.7 | Investigate the possibility of enhancing the wet grassland/ field areas at Bogingore & near Logie Burn. | Partly Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Goldeneye boxes have been put in place and have been used well with the best breeding season in over a decade in 2023. Breeding birds have been recorded annually and records have been sent to local recorder and North-east Scotland Biological Records Centre.
A great-crested grebe raft was put in place on Loch Davan in 2019 but succumbed to the bad weather. Dead trees were left on Parkins for waders. Scrapes were also implemented parallel to the Logie Burn during re-meandering work. Goldeneye had the best breeding season in over a decade in 2023, with 31 birds fledging from 7 broods. We implemented our Local Access Guidance from June 2021. This is where we asked paddlers and other water users to keep off Loch Kinord. Our Local Access Guidance was put in place to manage disturbance for a variety of nesting species on Loch Kinord. This will be continually monitored over the next course of the plan to ensure that our actions are justified and we will assess its impact on the breeding interest of Loch Kinord by collecting data on nesting species.
Below, you can see the changes in Goldeneye numbers from 2021 – 2022. This was also reflected in breeding success. Numbers in 2022 are higher across the season than in 2021.
Number of Goldeneye on Loch Kinnord - comparison between 2021 and 2022
Click for a full description
A breakdown of these figures can be found in the table below.
| Week no. | No of Goldeneye in 2021 | No of Goldeneye in 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 39 | 46 |
| 11 | 8 | 136 |
| 12 | 12 | 28 |
| 13 | 24 | 25 |
| 14 | 8 | 46 |
| 15 | 24 | 33 |
| 16 | 26 | 22 |
| 17 | 15 | 24 |
| 18 | 19 | 9 |
| 19 | 16 | 17 |
| 20 | 25 | 23 |
| 21 | 12 | 30 |
| 22 | 7 | 27 |
| 23 | 15 | 48 |
| 24 | 8 | 36 |
| 25 | 3 | 27 |
| 26 | 10 | 29 |
| 27 | 6 | 28 |
| 28 | 3 | 20 |
| 29 | 5 | 30 |
| 30 | 8 | 22 |
| 31 | 10 | 23 |
| 32 | 8 | 19 |
| 33 | 2 | 27 |
| 34 | 20 | 33 |
| 35 | 5 | 40 |
| 36 | 6 | 37 |
| 37 | 13 | 3 |
| 39 | 17 | 25 |
Objective NH7: Maintain kettle holes, eskers and kames in favourable condition.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH7.1 | Ensure the management of reserve does not damage or obscure important geomorphological features. | Achieved |
| NH7.2 | Undertake Site Check for geomorphological features in 2019 | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Works have been done to ensure that the geomorphological features are not damaged or obscured. We manage this by clearing vegetation around the features and ensuring that they are visible to the public. We also have incorporated geomorphological interpretation and have also had educational sessions on the features.
Objective NH8: Maintain important archaeological features clear of vegetation.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH8.1 | Clear bracken and trees from the hut circles and lime kiln annually. | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Completed annually.
Management for People
Objective VM1: Provide a high-quality visitor experience for at least 40,000 visitors ensuring that >85% of visitors asked rate their experience as good or above.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| VM1.1 | Prepare new Visitor Management Plan by 2020, with a clear connection to complementing visitor experiences in the wider Cairngorms National Park. | Not Achieved |
| VM1.2 | Replace bridges on Burn O'Vat trail by 2018. | Partly Achieved |
| VM1.3 | Implement interpretation and seating along the Little Ord trail. | Achieved |
| VM1.4 | Provide an orientation map in Dinnet village | Not achieved |
| VM1.5 | Explore options for improving accessibility along part of the Bogingore trail | Achieved |
| VM1.6 | Explore options for developing a family friendly cycle route. | Not Achieved |
| VM1.7 | Replace Parkin's Moss boardwalk by 2023 | Not Achieved |
| VM1.8 | Use a variety of media, including Facebook, Blog & reserve leaflets to inform people about the reserve and maintain weekly updated information in the Visitor Centre. | Achieved |
| VM1.9 | Distribute Reserve leaflets to local outlets including Tourist Information Centres at Ballater and Banchory, Loch Kinord Hotel, Victoria Tearooms, Craigendarroch Hilton, caravan parks at Tarland, Aboyne and Ballater, and to other centres within the National Park. | Achieved |
| VM1.10 | Review and update information about the reserve on the Scotland's NNRs website every 6 months. Provide downloadable material, including information sheets on certain topics/species and its place within the National Park. | Achieved |
| VM1.11 | Consider developing an "itour" (or similar) of reserve with QR codes at points of interest. | Not Achieved |
| VM1.12 | Provide at least 5 guided walks per year for targeted groups. | Achieved |
| VM1.13 | Organise and run an annual Muir of Dinnet NNR Open Day. | Achieved |
| VM1.14 | Provide or support at least 5 demonstration events during the lifetime of the plan showing best practice management for heath, wetlands, mires and/or aspen woodland. | Achieved |
| VM1.15 | Collate data from people counters. | Achieved |
| VM1.16 | Carry out visitor survey to provide qualitative information on visitor experiences. | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Visitor numbers have soared since the start of the plan, we know this due to the data collection from people counters. Up until 2020, numbers were gradually increasing, with NatureScot staff solely managing visitors. Post 2020, CNPA rangers and additional NatureScot seasonal staff were used as visitor pressure increased significantly after the covid-19 pandemic.
Our Local Access Guidance (LAG) was implemented in June 2021, and this appears to be a positive step towards achieving a balance between responsible access and protecting the species and habitats for which the reserve is so important. We will continue to monitor and review the LAG over the course of the next plan.
A wide variety of events and talks have been provided over the course of the plan, with over 3500 people attending these.
Open days were run annually until 2020 Rather than installing a Muir of Dinnet NNR panel in Dinnet Village, Cairngorm National Park Authority installed an orientation panel in Dinnet village. Orientation Panel was instead put in by Cairngorms National Park Authority in Dinnet village. Various educational groups visited wetland sites, mainly parkins moss to learn about management, ecology and the importance of peatlands. Parkins Moss boardwalk is still in good condition and is not needing replaced in the near future. Options have been explored for an accessible trail around Bogingore but funding has not yet been identified for this.
Figure 5: Visitor numbers at Muir of Dinnet NNR 2012 - 2019. Collected by automated people-counters.
Click for a full description
Visitor numbers
2012 - 55000 approx
2013 - 61000 approx
2014 - 60500 approx
2015 - 60000 approx
2016 - 65000 approx
2017 - 75000 approx
2018 - 82000 approx
2019 - 75000 approx
The above graph shows our increase in visitor numbers, sadly we don’t have any official numbers post 2020 as staffing during Covid-19 lockdowns and people counter failure meant that we couldn’t get an accurate figure. However, staff on the Reserve felt that 2020 & 2021 were the busiest years by far once the lockdown(s) had ended
NNR staff engaging with local college students (c) SRUC 2023
Objective VM2: To engage the local communities and support volunteering.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| VM2.1 | Establish and maintain a 'Friends of Muir of Dinnet NNR' through social media. | Achieved |
| VM2.2 | Develop a list of volunteer tasks and provide volunteer opportunities for at least one work party per year. | Achieved |
| VM2.3 | Engage 4 local volunteers annually for regular tasks on the reserve and provide training and financial support. | Achieved |
| VM2.4 | Engage with and utilise local contractors. | Achieved |
| VM2.5 | Support at least 10 school visits (including cluster primary schools) per year. | Achieved |
| VM2.6 | Provide one familiarisation to Muir of Dinnet in April for local accommodation providers. Establish a dialogue that will help us understand what the NNR can offer to local tourism service providers and the Cairngorms National Park. | Achieved |
| VM2.7 | Continue to hold Muir of Dinnet liaison meeting once every 6 months. | Partly Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Liaison meetings were held regularly, however attendance of these meetings started to decrease during the course of the plan and a decision was made for them to no longer be convened in 2017.
Schools from all over Aberdeenshire and further afield have visited the reserve. We have engaged with over 3700 pupils from over 25 different schools and education centres.
A volunteer programme has been on-going since 2014. We have had over 840 volunteer days on the Reserve, covering a variety of tasks. The tasks volunteers assist our staff with include; habitat management, litter picking, opening and closing of the visitor centre, general reserve maintenance and assisting with events and educational activities.
We are very active on social media, regularly posting on Facebook and writing an informative wordpress blog. We have more than 3,500 followers on facebook and on Wordpress we have 290 subscribers and more than 5,500 viewers read our blogs annually.
Management for Property
Objective PM1: To manage the reserve property responsibly following best practice.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| PM1.1 | Maintain the Visitor Centre and all visitor infrastructure (trails, car park, toilets, viewpoint etc) in good condition for visitors. | Achieved |
| PM1.2 | Carry out quarterly safety and condition assessments of all visitor infrastructure and keep accurate records | Achieved |
| PM1.3 | Ensure the management of the property conforms with Health & Safety Regulations including risk assessment and fire plan reviews | Achieved
|
| PM1.4 | Ensure retention of Green Tourism Business Scheme award. | Achieved |
| PM1.5 | Ensure payments made for Nature Reserve Agreement and other annual payments to estate. | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
All infrastructure has been maintained to a high level. In 2019 we refurbished the toilets including a new sewage system, and a grey waste facility for use by motorhomes. Works were also completed on the car park to reduce flooding. This work was supported by the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund. A new bridge was put installed on the Burn O’ Vat trail.
Nature Reserve Agreement payments were made annually and health and safety records were collected quarterly and are on file.
Summary
Overall, the vast majority of objectives set out in the 2014 – 2024 management plan have been met.
Our habitat management has maintained and/or improved condition of the SAC habitats, namely; bearberry heath, raised bogs, quaking mires and freshwater lochs. Controlled muirburn was conducted annually until 2020. The proposal to re-instate further heathland and bog will be considered further during the development of the next management plan.
The aspen wood has been naturally regenerating over the course of the plan, we are seeing large amounts of regeneration which has been protected from browsing with tree tubes.
During the course of the plan, visitor pressure has increased drastically. We are now seeing many more campers, motorhomes, recreational users and visitors accessing the water. After the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding became much more popular and a large number of crafts were being launched on Loch Kinord in the summer months, especially at the weekends. Due to the sensitivities and features of Loch Kinord, we worked with CNPA, Scottish Canoe Association and other bodies to develop and implement our local access guidance which looks to have had a positive effect on our breeding birds and the SAC feature. We will continue to monitor this during the next plan.
We have worked with local conservation organisations to run demonstration and awareness events on the Reserve. We have increased our species monitoring on Loch Kinord and also implemented various invertebrate surveys. Invasive species control continues to be done annually, and re-meandering of the Logie Burn has worked well to create different habitats and boost biodiversity.
Habitat management for specialist species such as the Kentish glory moth and pearl-bordered fritillary has proved successful and we are still finding individuals present in different areas of the Reserve.
In areas where objectives were not met, most were due to staffing shortages, change of reserve manager and money availability.
Social media has become more popular over the course of the plan, and our Facebook page is very popular. We continue to publish regular blogs on wordpress and we get a variety of positive engagement.
Document properties
Author: Simon Ritchie
Editor: Neil Mitchell
Approved by: Alan Monk
Date: 4 March 2024
