Welcome to the first blog from the RSPB Forsinard Flows nature reserve in Sutherland. The reserve can be found in the “Flow Country”, which is the common name for the vast peatland which blankets much of Caithness and Sutherland – mainland Scotland’s most northern counties. This spectacular landscape is home to the largest blanket bog in the world, covering over 400,000 hectares!
The rugged and wild terrain is dotted with clear patterned pools and lochs that shimmer like natural mirrors in the sunlight. Majestic mountains rise to the west and a network of rivers flow down to Scotland’s north and east coasts.
Peat has been forming here for thousands of years and can reach an incredible five meters in depth. The dead remains of bog mosses and other plants are preserved in wet, acidic conditions, creating a unique landscape. Looking carefully at the bog you can come across hundreds of carnivorous plants like sundew and as you might expect with an RSPB reserve, this beautiful place is home to many species of birds, including some of the highest densities of upland wading birds.
Each week we will be writing a blog to try and explain some of the work that the staff and volunteers are undertaking on the RSPB’s largest reserve and to show you why Forsinard Flows is such a stronghold for nature.
If you want dramatic and wild landscapes, majestic birds of prey, herds of red deer, breeding wetland birds and the antics of RSPB volunteers and staff then watch this space...
Icy Bog Pools from the Dubh Lochan Trail
Spectacular views across the vast landscape of the flows
If you love nature, enjoy it with us! | Find more information on events and facilities at RSPB Forsinard Flows by visiting www.rspb.org.uk/Forsinard