Forvie NNR - About the reserve

Forvie is managed to provide a range of habitats for wildlife and birds, including nesting eiders and terns.

 

 

 

​Managing habitats and inspiring people

Forvie NNR covers 1,000 hectares of internationally important coastal habitats between the North Sea and the estuary of the River Ythan. Home to a variety of wildlife, Forvie is particularly renowned for its birds, including one of the largest breeding colony of eiders in Britain. There are also four species of breeding terns, a wealth of wildfowl, waders and seals on the estuary.

More than 30,000 visitors a year come to Forvie to explore the reserve and watch wildlife.

Coastal habitat

Our priorities for the reserve are to improve the coastal habitats and actively manage the colonies of terns and eiders. We keep habitat management to a minimum – but we do remove trees and invasive species that spread onto the dune habitats.

We put measures in places to protect the terns and eiders. Each year we close sections of the reserve to minimise disturbance. We also install electric fencing to minimise the risk from predators.

Engaging people with nature

We want visiting the reserve to be an engaging experience for everyone. This might involve exploring this extensive and secluded coastal reserve or watching amazing wildlife. Through a visit to Forvie we want to inspire visitors about nature.

We will continue to provide a visitor centre and facilities, along with paths to help visitors to explore the reserve. We encourage responsible behaviour and ask visitors to respect the restrictions in place and not disturb wildlife.

Management planning

We plan our management carefully to make sure that the special qualities of the reserve thrive. In this way it will always give visitors an enjoyable experience and engage people with nature.

We produce 10-year management plans for our reserves. Find out more about how we manage Forvie NNR:

  • The Management Plan – sets out our priorities and tasks for managing the reserve between 2014 and 2024.
  • The Reserve Story – an introduction to the natural heritage, historical interest, past management and designations which protect the reserve.
  • The Reserve Plan Review – an overview of our management of the reserve during the last plan.

Protected areas

Forvie NNR overlaps with a number of protected areas.

Find out more about these protected areas and their designated features by searching the map:

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