Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands SPA - CABB

Introduction

The CABB project was launched in 2017 and objectives for Muirkirk and North Lowther include peatland restoration on both RSPB managed land (Airds Moss) and privately-owned land, habitat management and demonstration on RSPB managed land and advisory engagement with upland land managers.

Description

This is an upland site with the majority of the SPA privately managed for agriculture, typically sheep grazing. Large sections of the moorland are SNH Priority 1 peatland of national importance and over 70% of the SPA blanket bog has been modified through gripping or erosion. 

Project Aims

We aim to restore previously forested peatland at RSPB Airds Moss, and in partnership with farmers and land managers, SPA peatland on estates and farms.

Restoration Delivered

Shiel Farm – 27ha of previously forested peatland at RSPB Airds Moss restored through stump flipping and ditch blocking. Funded through the CABB project.

Tardoes – a 2 phase restoration of 825ha, involving ditch blocking and reprofiling works. Funded by Peatland ACTION.

Weatherhill and Kyle Farm – 48ha and 77ha respectively, restored through ditch blocking and reprofiling works. Funded through the CABB project.

Site Activity

Since 2017 we have been undertaking annual peatland vegetation management at Airds Moss to reduce Molinia dominance and improve sward structure for breeding Curlew and other bird species.

Our partners

Two of our key partners are CEI (East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative) and Mines Restoration Ltd., and we have been building partnerships and working agreements with estates and tenant farmers who have ground within the SPA.
 

{"zoom":6,"lat":55.523464,"lon":-4.0663969,"markers":{"0":{"lat":55.523464,"lon":-4.0663969}}}

Project Name: Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands SPA - CABB

Organisation / Lead partner: RSPB

Location: East Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, South Lanarkshire

Approximate area covered: 26000 ha

Conservation Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA)

Predominately: Upland

Peat Habitats: Blanket bog, Upland heath

Project Type: Restoration, Management

Year Project Began: 2017

    Painting of a river in spate: Peter Graham 1866, 'A spate in the highlands'
    Call for proposals for Water Research Seminar SeriesThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme and the Environment Agency are delighted to announce a series of…
    'Work in progress' sign with a digger on it next to two photographs of children drawing on large sheets of paper
    The Power of the Peat Bogs! How pupils turned their environmental education into a song Primary school pupils who have engaged with a project to restore ancient peatland and traditional…
    SWPP award
    South West Peatland Partnership awarded gold by Global Good AwardsThe South West Peatland Partnership won a Gold award at the Global Good Awards for their work…
    Exterior view of Virtual Peatland Pavilion showing four large domes in a desert landscape
    Seeking content for the COP29 Virtual Peatland PavilionThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme and Global Peatlands Initiative are seeking new content for an…
    UK Peatland Strategy
    New report celebrates UK peatland restoration – but climate and nature targets still at riskAnalysis reveals 250,000 hectares of peatland restoration activity over 30 years – way short of the…
    Peatland at Inshriach, Allt a’ Mharcaidh
    Largest ever gathering of UK peatland experts to celebrate ‘Peatlands, People and Nature’ in the Cairngorms National ParkAviemore in the Cairngorms National Park is to play host to the UK’s largest gathering of peatland…
    Landscape of mountains and forest
    View the full programme for #PeatConf24 and book your tickets now!The full programme for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme 2024 conference ‘Peatlands, People and Nature…
    CivTech in white writing with blue background and outlines of scales, lightbulb and book
    CivTech challenge invites ideas for Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon CodeProposals are being invited for the Scottish Government's CivTech Challenge 10.6 to use technology…
    Talla Gameshope image
    Changes to UK Land Carbon Registry feesFrom 1 November 2024, the fees charged to issue and convert units on the UK Land Carbon Registry…
    Peatland with mountains on the background
    Scottish peatland recognised as globally important by UNESCO World Heritage Site designation The Flow Country in the north of Scotland, Europe's largest expanse of blanket bog, has been…
    Brown butterfly with black spots on pink bell shaped flower
    New species showcase - large heathOur latest species showcase introduces the large heath butterfly, its association with two iconic…
    Haresfoot cottongrass with blue sky in the background. Credit Laurie Campbell SNH
    New briefing addresses the peatlands and methane debateThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has launched a new briefing “Peatlands and Methane” that summarises…