Biodiversity Improvements Carried Out at Inchgarth Reservoir

Work to provide an improved habitat for wading and farmland birds, as well as protecting and enhancing biodiversity, has been carried out on land around a popular Aberdeen reservoir. 
 
Scottish Water, which owns and operates Inchgarth Reservoir, and local community group Inchgarth Biodiversity Initiative (IBI) of Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council, have worked together with contractor Ground Control to create two wader scrapes on grassland at the site - shallow pools of water which provide important feeding sites for adults and chicks of farmland waders such as Snipe and Jack Snipe. 
 
In addition, a 6941 m2 area has been tilled and planted up with a winter seed crop which will help attract more birds and pollinating insects to the area, while a number of birch trees have also been planted along the perimeter of the site by IBI volunteers. 
 
The area around the reservoir already plays host to a number of bird species that are listed as being of conservation concern, including Grasshopper Warbler, Woodcock, Linnet and Yellowhammer, as well as a range of wading birds. 
 
The work is aimed at improving and diversifying the wet grassland habitat at the site to help support these birds and invertebrates.  
 
Scottish Water project manager Max Currie said: “We are delighted that this important biodiversity work has now been delivered at the site which will play a key role in providing an attractive habitat to a number of birds species that are declining in the UK. 
 
“We are committed to looking for opportunities to improve biodiversity across our sites wherever possible and are very grateful to the members of Inchgarth Biodiversity Initiative for their support, expertise and patience in helping to shape and deliver this project alongside our contractors Ground Control.”

Chair of the Inchgarth Biodiversity Initiative Claire Marsden said: “We are delighted that Scottish Water has recognised the potential for biodiversity enhancement opportunities on its land, and have worked with the local community to deliver these major pieces of work, which will act as a good start to maintaining this area for a wider range of wildlife in the years to come.   
 
“We are looking forward to watching closely to see what new birds and invertebrates turn up to use these improved areas.  As we are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis, initiatives like this show how we can help to provide a welcome and necessary change to the way public land is managed for wildlife, everywhere.” 
 
Chris Hart, Business Development Director (Utilities) for Ground Control, said: “It’s great to be working with a company that shares our passion for nature and biodiversity across Scotland.  
 
“By creating an environment for wading birds to flourish and completing the works in a way that enables the passionate and knowledgeable Inchgarth Biodiversity Initiative (IBI) to further develop and manage the biodiversity elements at the site, we’re excited to see this ecosystem develop. 
 
“Thanks to Scottish Water for the opportunity to work on this project and thanks to IBI for your commitment to nature at Inchgarth Reservoir.”