Furrow blocking, furrow blocking (full height dams), furrow blocking (pull-in dams) and drain blocking at RSPB Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve.

The works relate to forestry operations within RSPB’s Dyke plantation and are shown on the associated maps. The work itself forms part of the 5 year “Flows to the Future” project which is being run by the Peatland Partnership.

The primary drivers of this work relate to the blocks forming part of the RSPB Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve and to the need to:

— restore specific areas of open blanket bog and associated habitats from recent forestry on deep peat soils which will help government meet habitat restoration targets and deliver for Scotland’s National Peatland Plan,

— protect the massive carbon store in the peat soils below the trees,

— mitigate climate change and improve long term water quality,

— remove damaging forest “edge effects” on birds and habitats of the adjacent EU designated Natura sites.

In carrying out the work RSPB also wish to:

— support local employment and the local economy in the Far North,

— reduce any short term environmental impacts of the works on other habitats such as rivers,

— reduce the haulage transport carbon footprint,

— work alongside other forest managers and authorities to reduce impacts on adjacent communities and fragile road networks.